Athletic activity monitoring device with energy capture

ABSTRACT

Aspects relate to an energy harvesting device adapted for use by an athlete while exercising. The device may utilize a mass of phase-change material to store heat energy, the stored heat energy subsequently converted into electrical energy by one or more thermoelectric generator modules. The energy harvesting device may be integrated into an item of clothing, and such that the mass of phase change material may store heat energy as the item of clothing is laundered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/167,748, filed on May 28, 2015, which is expressly incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for any and all non-limitingpurposes.

BACKGROUND

While most people appreciate the importance of physical fitness, manyhave difficulty finding the motivation required to maintain a regularexercise program. Some people find it particularly difficult to maintainan exercise regimen that involves continuously repetitive motions, suchas running, walking and bicycling. Devices for tracking a user'sactivity may offer motivation in this regard, providing feedback on pastactivity, and encouragement to continue with an exercise routine inorder to meet various exercise goals.

However, existing tracking devices may require regular recharging ofintegrated battery elements. This need to plug an electronic trackingdevice into a wired power supply for recharging may be viewed as achore, or may be overlooked at times, thereby reducing the consistencywith which the activity tracking device is utilized by the user. Inturn, this may reduce the efficacy with which the activity trackingdevice can provide motivation to the user to maintain a regular exerciseprogram.

Therefore, improved systems and methods to address at least one or moreof these shortcomings in the art are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure inorder to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merelypresents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description provided below.

Aspects of the invention relate to a device for capturing, orharvesting, energy. This device may be adapted for positioning in or onan item of clothing. The energy harvesting device may have an insulatedcontainer with an outer membrane that has a first side in contact withan external environment, and a second side that defines the internalcavity. The insulated container may also have an outer heat exchangerthat extends through the outer membrane, with at least one surface ofthe heat exchanger in contact with the external environment.Additionally, the insulated container may include a thermoelectricgenerator module within the internal cavity. As such, the thermoelectricgenerator may be sandwiched between the outer heat exchanger and aninner heat exchanger. The energy harvesting device may have a mass ofphase-change material stored within the expandable membrane. A portionof the expandable membrane may be attached to the inner heat exchanger.The energy harvesting device may allow for bi-directional conduction ofheat between the phase-change material and the external environmentthrough the outer heat exchanger, the thermoelectric generator, and theinner heat exchanger. The phase-change material may be adapted to storea portion of heat energy absorbed from the external environment. Thisportion of heat energy may be captured from a dryer cycle as an item ofclothing is laundered.

According to another aspect, an energy harvesting device may have arigid container structure that has an outer membrane with an outer sidein contact with the external environment, and an inner side defining aninternal cavity. The energy harvesting device may also have athermoelectric generator module. Heat may be conducted from the externalenvironment through an outer heat exchanger to the thermoelectricgenerator module, and through to an inner heat exchanger. The inner heatexchanger may be in contact with a phase-change material. The outer heatexchanger, the thermoelectric generator, and the inner heat exchangermay facilitate bi-directional conduction of heat between thephase-change material and the external environment. The phase-changematerial may store a portion of heat energy absorbed from air in theexternal environment having a temperature in a range of approximately45-85° C.

According to another aspect, an energy harvesting device may have acontainer structure that has an internal cavity and an outer membrane.The container structure may further include a thermoelectric generatormodule that is connected to an expandable membrane containing a mass ofphase-change material. The thermoelectric generator may allow forbi-directional conduction of heat to and from the phase-change material.The phase-change material may store a portion of heat energy from anenvironment that has a temperature higher than a temperature of thephase-change material.

In another aspect, an energy harvesting device may be adapted forpositioning within or on an item of clothing. The energy harvestingdevice may have an insulated container that has an outer membrane withan outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface in contact withan external environment. The insulated container may also have an innermembrane, separated from the outer membrane, and having an outer surfaceand an inner surface. There may be an outer cavity positioned betweenthe outer membrane and the inner membrane. The opening may extend fromthe outer surface of the outer membrane to the inner surface of theouter membrane. Air and/or water from the external environment may enterinto the outer membrane through the opening. The energy harvestingdevice may additionally include an inner cavity defined by the innermembrane. An outer heat exchanger may extend through the inner membrane,with the inner membrane sealed around a portion of the outer heatexchanger. A thermoelectric generator may be located within the innercavity, with the thermoelectric generator connected to the outer heatexchanger at a first side, and to an inner heat exchanger at a secondside. A mass of phase-change material may be retained within theexpandable membrane, with a portion of the expandable membrane connectedto the inner heat exchanger. Bi-directional conduction of heat may befacilitated through the outer heat exchanger, the thermoelectricgenerator, and the inner heat exchanger, between the externalenvironment and the phase-change material. The opening may allow waterto enter into the outer cavity during a wash cycle as an item ofclothing is laundered. The phase-change material may be adapted to storea portion of heat energy during a dryer cycle as the item of clothing islaundered.

In yet another aspect, an energy harvesting device may have an insulatedcontainer that has a permeable outer membrane with an outer surface andan inner surface. The insulated container may also have an innermembrane that is separated from the outer membrane, with the innermembrane having an outer surface and an inner surface. An outer cavitymay be positioned between the outer membrane and inner membrane. Anopen-cell foam may at least partially filled the outer cavity. An innercavity may be defined by the inner membrane. A thermoelectric generatormay be positioned within the inner cavity. The thermoelectric generatormay be connected to an outer heat exchanger at the first side, and aninner heat exchanger at a second side. The expandable membrane mayenclose a mass of phase-change material, and at least a portion of theexpandable membrane may be connected to the inner heat exchanger. Theenergy harvesting device may allow for bi-directional conduction of heatto and from the phase-change material. The permeable outer membrane mayallow water to soak into the open-cell foam, and the phase-changematerial may store portion of heat energy captured from an externalenvironment at a temperature ranging from approximately 45 to 85° C.

According to another aspect, an energy harvesting device may have aninsulated container that has an outer membrane separated from an innermembrane. An outer cavity may be positioned between the outer membraneand the inner membrane. An inner cavity may be defined by the innermembrane. A thermoelectric generator module may be positioned within theinner cavity, and the thermoelectric generator may be attached to anexpandable membrane that stores a mass of phase-change material. Theouter membrane may be adapted to allow a liquid to enter into the outercavity, and the phase-change material may be adapted to store portion ofheat energy captured when the energy harvesting device is exposed to anexternal environment that has a temperature that is higher than thetemperature of the phase change material.

According to one aspect, an energy harvesting device may be adapted forpositioning within or on an item of clothing. The energy harvestingdevice may have an insulated container that has a deformable outermembrane in contact with an external environment. The insulatedcontainer may also have a deformable inner membrane that is separatedfrom the outer membrane. An outer cavity may be positioned between thedeformable outer membrane and the deformable inner membrane. An innercavity may be defined by the deformable inner membrane. An outer heatexchanger may be attached to the deformable outer membrane, with theouter heat exchanger having an outer surface exposed to the externalenvironment, and an inner surface exposed to the outer cavity. Athermoelectric generator may be positioned within the inner cavity, withthe thermoelectric generator having an outer surface exposed to theouter cavity through the deformable inner membrane. The thermoelectricgenerator may also have an inner surface that is attached to an innerheat exchanger. The phase-change material membrane may be attached tothe inner heat exchanger, and enclose a mass of phase-change material.The insulating container may be adapted to deform between an expandedconfiguration and a compressed configuration such that when in theexpanded configuration, the inner surface of the outer heat exchanger isseparated from the outer surface of the thermoelectric generator. In thecompressed configuration, the inner surface of the outer heat exchangermay be adapted to contact the outer surface of the thermoelectricgenerator. The phase-change material may be adapted to store portion ofthermal energy captured during a dryer cycle as the item of clothing islaundered.

According to another aspect, an energy harvesting device may have aninsulated container that has a deformable outer membrane separated froma deformable inner membrane. The insulated container may have an outercavity positioned between the default outer membrane and the deformableinner membrane. An inner cavity may be defined by the inner membrane. Anouter heat exchanger may be connected to the deformable outer membrane,with the outer heat exchanger having an outer surface exposed to anexternal environment, and an inner surface exposed to the outer cavity.A thermoelectric generator may be positioned within the inner cavity,and have an outer surface exposed to the outer cavity through thedeformable inner membrane. The thermoelectric generator may also have aninner surface attached to an inner heat exchanger. A phase-changematerial membrane may be attached to the inner heat exchanger, with thephase-change material membrane storing the mass of phase-changematerial. The insulated container may be deformed between an expandedconfiguration and a compressed configuration. When in the expandedconfiguration, the inner surface of the outer heat exchanger may beseparated from the outer surface of the thermoelectric generator. Whenin the compressed configuration, the inner surface of the outer heatexchanger may be adapted to contact the outer surface of thethermoelectric generator. The phase-change material may be adapted tostore portion of heat energy captured from air the external environmentat a temperature ranging between approximately 45 and 85° C.

In yet another aspect, an energy harvesting device may have an insulatedcontainer that has an insulating material positioned between adeformable outer membrane and a deformable inner membrane. Thedeformable inner membrane may define an internal cavity. Athermoelectric generator may be positioned within the internal cavity,and have a first surface exposed to the insulating material through thedeformable inner membrane. The thermoelectric generator may have asecond surface that is attached to a phase-change material membrane thatcontains the mass of phase-change material. The insulated container maybe configured to be deformed between an expanded configuration and acompressed configuration and the phase-change material may be configuredto store portion of heat energy captured when the energy harvestingdevice is exposed to a high temperature environment.

According to one aspect, an energy harvesting device may be adapted tobe integrated into an item of clothing. The energy harvesting device mayhave an insulated container adapted to be transitioned between anexpanded configuration and a compressed configuration. The insulatedcontainer may also have a deformable outer membrane separated from thedeformable inner membrane. An outer cavity may be positioned between thedeformable outer membrane of the deformable inner membrane. An innercavity may be defined by the deformable inner membrane. An outer heatexchanger may be attached to the deformable outer membrane, with theouter heat exchanger having an outer surface exposed to an externalenvironment, and an inner surface exposed to the outer cavity. Athermoelectric generator may be positioned within the inner cavity, andhave an outer surface exposed to the outer cavity through the deformableinner membrane, and an inner surface attached to an inner heatexchanger. An activity monitoring circuit may be connected to, andpowered by, the thermoelectric generator such that an output of thethermoelectric generator is connected to an interrupt input of theactivity monitoring circuit. A phase-change material membrane may bejoined to the inner heat exchanger, and store a mass of phase changematerial. The primary axis of conduction through the inner heatexchanger, the thermoelectric generator, and the outer heat exchangermay have a first thermal conductivity in the insulated container is inthe expanded configuration and a second thermal conductivity in theinsulated containers in the compressed configuration. When transitionedfrom the expanded configuration to the compressed configuration, avoltage output from the thermoelectric generator at the interrupt inputmay transition the activity monitoring circuit from a first powerconfiguration to a second power configuration.

In another aspect, an energy harvesting device may comprise an insulatedcontainer adapted to be transitioned between an expanded configurationand a compressed configuration. The insulated container may have adeformable outer membrane separated from a deformable inner membrane.The cavity may be positioned between the deformable outer membrane andthe deformable inner membrane. The outer heat exchanger may be attachedto the deformable outer membrane, and have an outer surface exposed toan external environment, and an inner surface exposed to the cavity. Athermoelectric generator may be positioned within the insulatedcontainer, and have an outer surface exposed to the cavity through thedeformable inner membrane, and an inner surface attached to an innerheat exchanger. An activity monitoring circuit may be powered by thethermoelectric generator. The phase-change material membrane may bejoined to the inner heat exchanger, and store a mass of phase-changematerial. The primary axis of conduction through the inner heatexchanger, the thermoelectric generator, and the outer heat exchangermay have a first thermal conductivity when the insulated container is inthe expanded configuration, and a second thermal conductivity, greaterthan the first thermal conductivity, an insulating container is in thecompressed configuration. The thermoelectric generator may output afirst voltage when the insulated container is in the expandedconfiguration, and a second voltage, higher than the first voltage, whenin the compressed configuration.

In yet another aspect, an energy harvesting device may have an insulatedcontainer adapted to be transitioned between an expanded configurationand a compressed configuration. The insulating container may have acavity positioned between a deformable outer membrane and an innermembrane. An outer heat exchanger may be joined to the deformable outermembrane, and have an outer surface exposed to an external environment,and an inner surface exposed to the cavity. The energy harvesting devicemay further have a thermoelectric generator that has an outer surfaceexposed to the cavity through the inner membrane, and an inner surfacejoined to an inner heat exchanger. A phase-change material membrane maybe joined to the inner heat exchanger, and store a mass of phase-changematerial. The primary axis of conduction through the inner heatexchanger, the thermoelectric generator, and the outer heat exchangermay have a first thermal conductivity when the insulated container is inthe expanded configuration, and a second thermal conductivity, greaterthan the first thermal conductivity, when the insulated container is inthe compressed configuration. The thermoelectric generator may output afirst voltage when the insulated container is in the expandedconfiguration, and a second voltage, higher than the first voltage whenin the compressed configuration.

According to another aspect, an activity monitoring device may have asupport structure that has a first end separated from a second end alonga first axis. The support structure may further have a first sideexposed to an external environment, and a second side, opposite thefirst side, adapted to be positioned close to an area of skin of theuser. The activity monitoring device may further have a processor, anactivity monitoring circuit coupled to the support structure, and anon-transitory computer-readable medium configured to obtain sensor datafrom the activity monitoring circuit. Further, athletic measurements maybe calculated based upon the sensor data. The activity monitoring devicemay further have at least two series-connected thermoelectric generatormodules adapted to generate and transfer electrical energy to theprocessor and the activity monitoring circuit. As such, thethermoelectric generator modules may be adapted to generate electricalenergy responsive to a thermal gradient between the first side and thesecond side.

In another aspect, an activity monitoring device may have a flexiblesupport structure that has a first end separated from a second end. Thedevice may further have a first coupling mechanism at the first end thatis adapted to be removably-coupled to a second coupling mechanism at thesecond end. The support structure may further have a first side adaptedto be exposed to an external environment, and a second side, oppositethe first side, adapted to be positioned close to an area of skin of auser. The activity monitoring device may have an activity monitoringcircuit joined to the flexible support structure, and at least twoseries-connected thermoelectric generator modules that are adapted togenerate an transfer electrical energy to a processor and an activitymonitoring circuit. The thermoelectric generator modules may be adaptedto generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient betweenthe first side and the second side. The activity monitoring device mayfurther have non-transitory computer-readable media adapted to receivesensor data from the activity monitoring circuit, and determine that thesensory data is indicative of a threshold level of athletic movement. Inresponse, the computer-readable media may be adapted to cause theactivity monitoring device to enter into a first active state. Further,athletic measurements may be calculated based upon the user's athleticmovements, and the activity monitoring device may be switched into asecond active state.

In yet another aspect, an activity monitoring device may have a flexiblesupport structure that has a multiple individual, rigid, interconnectedcomponents. The support structure may have a first side adapted to beexposed to an external environment, and a second side opposite the firstside, adapted to be positioned close to an area of skin of a user. Theactivity monitoring device may also have an activity monitoring circuitjoined to the flexible support structure, and at least twoseries-connected thermoelectric generator modules. The thermoelectricgenerator modules may be adapted to generate an transfer electricalenergy to a processor and the activity monitoring circuit in response toa thermal gradient between the first side and the second side. Theactivity monitoring device may also have a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium may be adapted to obtain sensor data from theactivity monitoring circuit, and calculated athletic measurements basedupon the sensor data. Additionally, the activity monitoring device mayhave a transceiver adapted to automatically transmit the calculatedathletic measurements to a mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system that may be configured to providepersonal training and/or obtain data from the physical movements of auser in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example computer device that may be part of or incommunication with the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative sensor assembly that may be worn by a userin accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows another example sensor assembly that may be worn by a userin accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows illustrative locations for sensory input which may includephysical sensors located on/in a user's clothing and/or be based uponidentification of relationships between two moving body parts of theuser;

FIG. 6A schematically depicts an energy harvesting device in a firstconfiguration having an outer cavity filled with a mass of air,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 6B schematically depicts an energy harvesting device having a massof fluid within an outer cavity, which may, in certain embodiments, be asecond configuration of the energy harvesting device of FIG. 6A,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 6C schematically depicts yet another embodiment of an energyharvesting device, which may, in certain embodiments, be a differentconfiguration of the energy harvesting device depicted in FIG. 6B, andin which an expandable membrane is in an expanded configuration,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 6D schematically depicts yet another embodiment of an energyharvesting device, which may be, in certain embodiments, a differentconfiguration of the energy harvesting device depicted in FIG. 6C, andin which an outer membrane may be configured to be compressible whenexposed to an external force, according to one or more aspects describedherein;

FIG. 7A schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device in which it may be configured with an insulatedcontainer having an outer membrane with a plurality of apertures,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 7B schematically depicts an energy harvesting device in acompressed configuration, according to an example embodiment of theinnovation;

FIG. 8 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device in which an insulated container includes an outermembrane 604 with a plurality of apertures, according to one or moreaspects described herein;

FIG. 9 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 10 depicts another implementation of an energy harvesting device,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 11 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 12 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 13 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIGS. 14A and 14B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device, according to one or more aspects describedherein, in which the device may be configured to deform, or compress,between an expanded configuration, as depicted in FIG. 14A, and acompressed configuration, as depicted in FIG. 14B;

FIGS. 15A and 15B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device, according to one or more aspects describedherein, in which a thermoelectric generator is spaced apart from aninner heat exchanger when the energy harvesting device is in an expandedconfiguration, and positioned proximate the inner heat exchanger whenthe energy harvesting device is in a compressed configuration;

FIGS. 16A and 16B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device, according to one or more aspects describedherein, in which an outer heat exchanger is spaced apart from athermoelectric generator when the energy harvesting device is in anexpanded configuration, and positioned proximate the thermoelectricgenerator when the energy harvesting device is in a compressedconfiguration;

FIGS. 17A and 17B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device, according to one or more aspects describedherein;

FIG. 18 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 19 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects described herein, inwhich the energy harvesting device is configured with an inner heatexchanger having one or more fins;

FIG. 20 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects described herein, inwhich the device may comprise an insulated container that has an outermembrane encapsulating an internal cavity;

FIG. 21 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device, according to one or more aspects of the innovationthat comprises multiple thermoelectric generators;

FIG. 22 schematically depicts a thermoelectric generator module,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 23 schematically depicts a top view of an example of an activitymonitoring device that may utilize one or more thermoelectricgenerators, according to one or more aspects described herein; and

FIG. 24 schematically depicts an example graph of an output voltage froma thermoelectric generator, in accordance with various implementations.

FIG. 25 depicts an example module that may be used in association withapparel or other devices, such as being insertable within an armband,clothing, wearable device, handheld device, textile, and/or an apparatusthat may be used during physical activity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of this disclosure involve obtaining, storing, and/or processingathletic data relating to the physical movements of an athlete. Theathletic data may be actively or passively sensed and/or stored in oneor more non-transitory storage mediums. Still further aspects relate tousing athletic data to generate an output, such as for example,calculated athletic attributes, feedback signals to provide guidance,and/or other information. These and other aspects will be discussed inthe context of the following illustrative examples of a personaltraining system.

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in whichaspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and structural and functionalmodifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present disclosure. Further, headings within this disclosure shouldnot be considered as limiting aspects of the disclosure and the exampleembodiments are not limited to the example headings.

I. Example Personal Training System

A. Illustrative Networks

Aspects of this disclosure relate to systems and methods that may beutilized across a plurality of networks. In this regard, certainembodiments may be configured to adapt to dynamic network environments.Further embodiments may be operable in differing discrete networkenvironments. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a personal trainingsystem 100 in accordance with example embodiments. Example system 100may include one or more interconnected networks, such as theillustrative body area network (BAN) 102, local area network (LAN) 104,and wide area network (WAN) 106. As shown in FIG. 1 (and describedthroughout this disclosure), one or more networks (e.g., BAN 102, LAN104, and/or WAN 106), may overlap or otherwise be inclusive of eachother. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrativenetworks 102-106 are logical networks that may each comprise one or moredifferent communication protocols and/or network architectures and yetmay be configured to have gateways to each other or other networks. Forexample, each of BAN 102, LAN 104 and/or WAN 106 may be operativelyconnected to the same physical network architecture, such as cellularnetwork architecture 108 and/or WAN architecture 110. For example,portable electronic device 112, which may be considered a component ofboth BAN 102 and LAN 104, may comprise a network adapter or networkinterface card (NIC) configured to translate data and control signalsinto and from network messages according to one or more communicationprotocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the InternetProtocol (IP), and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) through one or moreof architectures 108 and/or 110. These protocols are well known in theart, and thus will not be discussed here in more detail.

Network architectures 108 and 110 may include one or more informationdistribution network(s), of any type(s) or topology(s), alone or incombination(s), such as for example, cable, fiber, satellite, telephone,cellular, wireless, etc. and as such, may be variously configured suchas having one or more wired or wireless communication channels(including but not limited to: WiFi®, Bluetooth®, Near-FieldCommunication (NFC) and/or ANT technologies). Thus, any device within anetwork of FIG. 1, (such as portable electronic device 112 or any otherdevice described herein) may be considered inclusive to one or more ofthe different logical networks 102-106. With the foregoing in mind,example components of an illustrative BAN and LAN (which may be coupledto WAN 106) will be described.

1. Example Local Area Network

LAN 104 may include one or more electronic devices, such as for example,computer device 114. Computer device 114, or any other component ofsystem 100, may comprise a mobile terminal, such as a telephone, musicplayer, tablet, netbook or any portable device. In other embodiments,computer device 114 may comprise a media player or recorder, desktopcomputer, server(s), a gaming console, such as for example, a Microsoft®XBOX, Sony® Playstation, and/or a Nintendo® Wii gaming consoles. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely example devicesfor descriptive purposes and this disclosure is not limited to anyconsole or computing device.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the design and structureof computer device 114 may vary depending on several factors, such asits intended purpose. One example implementation of computer device 114is provided in FIG. 2, which illustrates a block diagram of computingdevice 200. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosureof FIG. 2 may be applicable to any device disclosed herein. Device 200may include one or more processors, such as processor 202-1 and 202-2(generally referred to herein as “processors 202” or “processor 202”).Processors 202 may communicate with each other or other components viaan interconnection network or bus 204. Processor 202 may include one ormore processing cores, such as cores 206-1 and 206-2 (referred to hereinas “cores 206” or more generally as “core 206”), which may beimplemented on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip.

Cores 206 may comprise a shared cache 208 and/or a private cache (e.g.,caches 210-1 and 210-2, respectively). One or more caches 208/210 maylocally cache data stored in a system memory, such as memory 212, forfaster access by components of the processor 202. Memory 212 may be incommunication with the processors 202 via a chipset 216. Cache 208 maybe part of system memory 212 in certain embodiments. Memory 212 mayinclude, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), and include one or more of solid-state memory, optical ormagnetic storage, and/or any other medium that can be used to storeelectronic information. Yet other embodiments may omit system memory212.

System 200 may include one or more I/O devices (e.g., I/O devices 214-1through 214-3, each generally referred to as I/O device 214). I/O datafrom one or more I/O devices 214 may be stored at one or more caches208, 210 and/or system memory 212. Each of I/O devices 214 may bepermanently or temporarily configured to be in operative communicationwith a component of system 100 using any physical or wirelesscommunication protocol.

Returning to FIG. 1, four example I/O devices (shown as elements116-122) are shown as being in communication with computer device 114.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of devices116-122 may be stand-alone devices or may be associated with anotherdevice besides computer device 114. For example, one or more I/O devicesmay be associated with or interact with a component of BAN 102 and/orWAN 106. I/O devices 116-122 may include, but are not limited toathletic data acquisition units, such as for example, sensors. One ormore I/O devices may be configured to sense, detect, and/or measure anathletic parameter from a user, such as user 124. Examples include, butare not limited to: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, alocation-determining device (e.g., GPS), light (including non-visiblelight) sensor, temperature sensor (including ambient temperature and/orbody temperature), sleep pattern sensors, heart rate monitor,image-capturing sensor, moisture sensor, force sensor, compass, angularrate sensor, and/or combinations thereof among others.

In further embodiments, I/O devices 116-122 may be used to provide anoutput (e.g., audible, visual, or tactile cue) and/or receive an input,such as a user input from athlete 124. Example uses for theseillustrative I/O devices are provided below, however, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that such discussions are merely descriptive ofsome of the many options within the scope of this disclosure. Further,reference to any data acquisition unit, I/O device, or sensor is to beinterpreted disclosing an embodiment that may have one or more I/Odevice, data acquisition unit, and/or sensor disclosed herein or knownin the art (either individually or in combination).

Information from one or more devices (across one or more networks) maybe used to provide (or be utilized in the formation of) a variety ofdifferent parameters, metrics or physiological characteristics includingbut not limited to: motion parameters, such as speed, acceleration,distance, steps taken, direction, relative movement of certain bodyportions or objects to others, or other motion parameters which may beexpressed as angular rates, rectilinear rates or combinations thereof,physiological parameters, such as calories, heart rate, sweat detection,effort, oxygen consumed, oxygen kinetics, and other metrics which mayfall within one or more categories, such as: pressure, impact forces,information regarding the athlete, such as height, weight, age,demographic information and combinations thereof.

System 100 may be configured to transmit and/or receive athletic data,including the parameters, metrics, or physiological characteristicscollected within system 100 or otherwise provided to system 100. As oneexample, WAN 106 may comprise server 111. Server 111 may have one ormore components of system 200 of FIG. 2. In one embodiment, server 111comprises at least a processor and a memory, such as processor 206 andmemory 212. Server 111 may be configured to store computer-executableinstructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Theinstructions may comprise athletic data, such as raw or processed datacollected within system 100. System 100 may be configured to transmitdata, such as energy expenditure points, to a social networking websiteor host such a site. Server 111 may be utilized to permit one or moreusers to access and/or compare athletic data. As such, server 111 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive notifications based upon athleticdata or other information.

Returning to LAN 104, computer device 114 is shown in operativecommunication with a display device 116, an image-capturing device 118,sensor 120 and exercise device 122, which are discussed in turn belowwith reference to example embodiments. In one embodiment, display device116 may provide audio-visual cues to athlete 124 to perform a specificathletic movement. The audio-visual cues may be provided in response tocomputer-executable instruction executed on computer device 114 or anyother device, including a device of BAN 102 and/or WAN. Display device116 may be a touchscreen device or otherwise configured to receive auser-input.

In one embodiment, data may be obtained from image-capturing device 118and/or other sensors, such as sensor 120, which may be used to detect(and/or measure) athletic parameters, either alone or in combinationwith other devices, or stored information. Image-capturing device 118and/or sensor 120 may comprise a transceiver device. In one embodimentsensor 128 may comprise an infrared (IR), electromagnetic (EM) oracoustic transceiver. For example, image-capturing device 118, and/orsensor 120 may transmit waveforms into the environment, includingtowards the direction of athlete 124 and receive a “reflection” orotherwise detect alterations of those released waveforms. Those skilledin the art will readily appreciate that signals corresponding to amultitude of different data spectrums may be utilized in accordance withvarious embodiments. In this regard, devices 118 and/or 120 may detectwaveforms emitted from external sources (e.g., not system 100). Forexample, devices 118 and/or 120 may detect heat being emitted from user124 and/or the surrounding environment. Thus, image-capturing device 126and/or sensor 128 may comprise one or more thermal imaging devices. Inone embodiment, image-capturing device 126 and/or sensor 128 maycomprise an IR device configured to perform range phenomenology.

In one embodiment, exercise device 122 may be any device configurable topermit or facilitate the athlete 124 performing a physical movement,such as for example a treadmill, step machine, etc. There is norequirement that the device be stationary. In this regard, wirelesstechnologies permit portable devices to be utilized, thus a bicycle orother mobile exercising device may be utilized in accordance withcertain embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatequipment 122 may be or comprise an interface for receiving anelectronic device containing athletic data performed remotely fromcomputer device 114. For example, a user may use a sporting device(described below in relation to BAN 102) and upon returning home or thelocation of equipment 122, download athletic data into element 122 orany other device of system 100. Any I/O device disclosed herein may beconfigured to receive activity data.

2. Body Area Network

BAN 102 may include two or more devices configured to receive, transmit,or otherwise facilitate the collection of athletic data (includingpassive devices). Exemplary devices may include one or more dataacquisition units, sensors, or devices known in the art or disclosedherein, including but not limited to I/O devices 116-122. Two or morecomponents of BAN 102 may communicate directly, yet in otherembodiments, communication may be conducted via a third device, whichmay be part of BAN 102, LAN 104, and/or WAN 106. One or more componentsof LAN 104 or WAN 106 may form part of BAN 102. In certainimplementations, whether a device, such as portable device 112, is partof BAN 102, LAN 104, and/or WAN 106, may depend on the athlete'sproximity to an access point to permit communication with mobilecellular network architecture 108 and/or WAN architecture 110. Useractivity and/or preference may also influence whether one or morecomponents are utilized as part of BAN 102. Example embodiments areprovided below.

User 124 may be associated with (e.g., possess, carry, wear, and/orinteract with) any number of devices, such as portable device 112,shoe-mounted device 126, wrist-worn device 128 and/or a sensinglocation, such as sensing location 130, which may comprise a physicaldevice or a location that is used to collect information. One or moredevices 112, 126, 128, and/or 130 may not be specially designed forfitness or athletic purposes. Indeed, aspects of this disclosure relateto utilizing data from a plurality of devices, some of which are notfitness devices, to collect, detect, and/or measure athletic data. Incertain embodiments, one or more devices of BAN 102 (or any othernetwork) may comprise a fitness or sporting device that is specificallydesigned for a particular sporting use. As used herein, the term“sporting device” includes any physical object that may be used orimplicated during a specific sport or fitness activity. Exemplarysporting devices may include, but are not limited to: golf balls,basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls, footballs, powerballs, hockeypucks, weights, bats, clubs, sticks, paddles, mats, and combinationsthereof. In further embodiments, exemplary fitness devices may includeobjects within a sporting environment where a specific sport occurs,including the environment itself, such as a goal net, hoop, backboard,portions of a field, such as a midline, outer boundary marker, base, andcombinations thereof.

In this regard, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one ormore sporting devices may also be part of (or form) a structure andvice-versa, a structure may comprise one or more sporting devices or beconfigured to interact with a sporting device. For example, a firststructure may comprise a basketball hoop and a backboard, which may beremovable and replaced with a goal post. In this regard, one or moresporting devices may comprise one or more sensors, such as one or moreof the sensors discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-3, that mayprovide information utilized, either independently or in conjunctionwith other sensors, such as one or more sensors associated with one ormore structures. For example, a backboard may comprise a first sensorconfigured to measure a force and a direction of the force by abasketball upon the backboard and the hoop may comprise a second sensorto detect a force. Similarly, a golf club may comprise a first sensorconfigured to detect grip attributes on the shaft and a second sensorconfigured to measure impact with a golf ball.

Looking to the illustrative portable device 112, it may be amulti-purpose electronic device, that for example, includes a telephoneor digital music player, including an IPOD®, IPAD®, or iPhone®, branddevices available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. or Zune® orMicrosoft® Windows devices available from Microsoft of Redmond, Wash. Asknown in the art, digital media players can serve as an output device,input device, and/or storage device for a computer. Device 112 may beconfigured as an input device for receiving raw or processed datacollected from one or more devices in BAN 102, LAN 104, or WAN 106. Inone or more embodiments, portable device 112 may comprise one or morecomponents of computer device 114. For example, portable device 112 maybe include a display 116, image-capturing device 118, and/or one or moredata acquisition devices, such as any of the I/O devices 116-122discussed above, with or without additional components, so as tocomprise a mobile terminal.

a. Illustrative Apparel/Accessory Sensors

In certain embodiments, I/O devices may be formed within or otherwiseassociated with user's 124 clothing or accessories, including a watch,armband, wristband, necklace, shirt, shoe, or the like. These devicesmay be configured to monitor athletic movements of a user. It is to beunderstood that they may detect athletic movement during user's 124interactions with computer device 114 and/or operate independently ofcomputer device 114 (or any other device disclosed herein). For example,one or more devices in BAN 102 may be configured to function as anall-day activity monitor that measures activity regardless of the user'sproximity or interactions with computer device 114. It is to be furtherunderstood that the sensory system 302 shown in FIG. 3 and the deviceassembly 400 shown in FIG. 4, each of which are described in thefollowing paragraphs, are merely illustrative examples.

i. Shoe-Mounted Device

In certain embodiments, device 126 shown in FIG. 1, may comprisefootwear which may include one or more sensors, including but notlimited to those disclosed herein and/or known in the art. FIG. 3illustrates one example embodiment of a sensor system 302 providing oneor more sensor assemblies 304. Assembly 304 may comprise one or moresensors, such as for example, an accelerometer, gyroscope,location-determining components, force sensors and/or or any othersensor disclosed herein or known in the art. In the illustratedembodiment, assembly 304 incorporates a plurality of sensors, which mayinclude force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors 306; however, othersensor(s) may be utilized. Port 308 may be positioned within a solestructure 309 of a shoe, and is generally configured for communicationwith one or more electronic devices. Port 308 may optionally be providedto be in communication with an electronic module 310, and the solestructure 309 may optionally include a housing 311 or other structure toreceive the module 310. The sensor system 302 may also include aplurality of leads 312 connecting the FSR sensors 306 to the port 308,to enable communication with the module 310 and/or another electronicdevice through the port 308. Module 310 may be contained within a wellor cavity in a sole structure of a shoe, and the housing 311 may bepositioned within the well or cavity. In one embodiment, at least onegyroscope and at least one accelerometer are provided within a singlehousing, such as module 310 and/or housing 311. In at least a furtherembodiment, one or more sensors are provided that, when operational, areconfigured to provide directional information and angular rate data. Theport 308 and the module 310 include complementary interfaces 314, 316for connection and communication.

In certain embodiments, at least one force-sensitive resistor 306 shownin FIG. 3 may contain first and second electrodes or electrical contacts318, 320 and a force-sensitive resistive material 322 disposed betweenthe electrodes 318, 320 to electrically connect the electrodes 318, 320together. When pressure is applied to the force-sensitive material 322,the resistivity and/or conductivity of the force-sensitive material 322changes, which changes the electrical potential between the electrodes318, 320. The change in resistance can be detected by the sensor system302 to detect the force applied on the sensor 316. The force-sensitiveresistive material 322 may change its resistance under pressure in avariety of ways. For example, the force-sensitive material 322 may havean internal resistance that decreases when the material is compressed.Further embodiments may utilize “volume-based resistance”, which may beimplemented through “smart materials.” As another example, the material322 may change the resistance by changing the degree ofsurface-to-surface contact, such as between two pieces of the forcesensitive material 322 or between the force sensitive material 322 andone or both electrodes 318, 320. In some circumstances, this type offorce-sensitive resistive behavior may be described as “contact-basedresistance.”

ii. Wrist-Worn Device

As shown in FIG. 4, device 400 (which may resemble or comprise sensorydevice 128 shown in FIG. 1), may be configured to be worn by user 124,such as around a wrist, arm, ankle, neck or the like. Device 400 mayinclude an input mechanism, such as a depressible input button 402configured to be used during operation of the device 400. The inputbutton 402 may be operably connected to a controller 404 and/or anyother electronic components, such as one or more of the elementsdiscussed in relation to computer device 114 shown in FIG. 1. Controller404 may be embedded or otherwise part of housing 406. Housing 406 may beformed of one or more materials, including elastomeric components andcomprise one or more displays, such as display 408. The display may beconsidered an illuminable portion of the device 400. The display 408 mayinclude a series of individual lighting elements or light members suchas LED lights 410. The lights may be formed in an array and operablyconnected to the controller 404. Device 400 may include an indicatorsystem 412, which may also be considered a portion or component of theoverall display 408. Indicator system 412 can operate and illuminate inconjunction with the display 408 (which may have pixel member 414) orcompletely separate from the display 408. The indicator system 412 mayalso include a plurality of additional lighting elements or lightmembers, which may also take the form of LED lights in an exemplaryembodiment. In certain embodiments, indicator system may provide avisual indication of goals, such as by illuminating a portion oflighting members of indicator system 412 to represent accomplishmenttowards one or more goals. Device 400 may be configured to display dataexpressed in terms of activity points or currency earned by the userbased on the activity of the user, either through display 408 and/orindicator system 412.

A fastening mechanism 416 can be disengaged wherein the device 400 canbe positioned around a wrist or portion of the user 124 and thefastening mechanism 416 can be subsequently placed in an engagedposition. In one embodiment, fastening mechanism 416 may comprise aninterface, including but not limited to a USB port, for operativeinteraction with computer device 114 and/or devices, such as devices 120and/or 112. In certain embodiments, fastening member may comprise one ormore magnets. In one embodiment, fastening member may be devoid ofmoving parts and rely entirely on magnetic forces.

In certain embodiments, device 400 may comprise a sensor assembly (notshown in FIG. 4). The sensor assembly may comprise a plurality ofdifferent sensors, including those disclosed herein and/or known in theart. In an example embodiment, the sensor assembly may comprise orpermit operative connection to any sensor disclosed herein or known inthe art. Device 400 and or its sensor assembly may be configured toreceive data obtained from one or more external sensors.

iii. Apparel and/or Body Location Sensing

Element 130 of FIG. 1 shows an example sensory location which may beassociated with a physical apparatus, such as a sensor, data acquisitionunit, or other device. Yet in other embodiments, it may be a specificlocation of a body portion or region that is monitored, such as via animage capturing device (e.g., image capturing device 118). In certainembodiments, element 130 may comprise a sensor, such that elements 130 aand 130 b may be sensors integrated into apparel, such as athleticclothing/athletic apparel. Such sensors may be placed at any desiredlocation of the body of user 124. Sensors 130 a/b may communicate (e.g.,wirelessly) with one or more devices (including other sensors) of BAN102, LAN 104, and/or WAN 106. In certain embodiments, passive sensingsurfaces may reflect waveforms, such as infrared light, emitted byimage-capturing device 118 and/or sensor 120. In one embodiment, passivesensors located on user's 124 apparel may comprise generally sphericalstructures made of glass or other transparent or translucent surfaceswhich may reflect waveforms. Different classes of apparel may beutilized in which a given class of apparel has specific sensorsconfigured to be located proximate to a specific portion of the user's124 body when properly worn. For example, golf apparel may include oneor more sensors positioned on the apparel in a first configuration andyet soccer apparel may include one or more sensors positioned on apparelin a second configuration.

FIG. 5 shows illustrative locations for sensory input (see, e.g.,sensory locations 130 a-130 o). In this regard, sensors may be physicalsensors located on/in a user's clothing, yet in other embodiments,sensor locations 130 a-130 o may be based upon identification ofrelationships between two moving body parts. For example, sensorlocation 130 a may be determined by identifying motions of user 124 withan image-capturing device, such as image-capturing device 118. Thus, incertain embodiments, a sensor may not physically be located at aspecific location (such as one or more of sensor locations 130 a-130 o),but is configured to sense properties of that location, such as withimage-capturing device 118 or other sensor data gathered from otherlocations. In this regard, the overall shape or portion of a user's bodymay permit identification of certain body parts. Regardless of whetheran image-capturing device is utilized and/or a physical sensor locatedon the user 124, and/or using data from other devices, (such as sensorysystem 302), device assembly 400 and/or any other device or sensordisclosed herein or known in the art is utilized, the sensors may sensea current location of a body part and/or track movement of the bodypart. In one embodiment, sensory data relating to location 130 m may beutilized in a determination of the user's center of gravity (a.k.a,center of mass). For example, relationships between location 130 a andlocation(s) 130 f/130 l with respect to one or more of location(s) 130m-130 o may be utilized to determine if a user's center of gravity hasbeen elevated along the vertical axis (such as during a jump) or if auser is attempting to “fake” a jump by bending and flexing their knees.In one embodiment, sensor location 1306 n may be located at about thesternum of user 124. Likewise, sensor location 130 o may be locatedapproximate to the naval of user 124. In certain embodiments, data fromsensor locations 130 m-130 o may be utilized (alone or in combinationwith other data) to determine the center of gravity for user 124. Infurther embodiments, relationships between multiple sensor locations,such as sensors 130 m-130 o, may be utilized in determining orientationof the user 124 and/or rotational forces, such as twisting of user's 124torso. Further, one or more locations, such as location(s), may beutilized as (or approximate) a center of moment location. For example,in one embodiment, one or more of location(s) 130 m-130 o may serve as apoint for a center of moment location of user 124. In anotherembodiment, one or more locations may serve as a center of moment ofspecific body parts or regions.

Aspects of the innovation relate to energy harvesting devices (otherwisereferred to as energy capture devices, or energy capture and storagedevices), and novel methods of utilizing one or more energy harvestingdevices. Advantageously, aspects of the innovations described hereinrelate to using a thermoelectric generator to provide electrical energyto one or more electronic components of an athletic activity monitoringdevice (e.g. devices 128, 400), among others. In this way, one or moreelectronic components (e.g. processor, memory, transceiver, amongothers) may be provided with electrical energy without requiring a userto provide an energy storage device/medium, such as a battery, with awired source of electrical energy, such as from an electrical outlet(i.e. a wired connected may not be required for recharging of one ormore on-board batteries of an athletic activity monitoring device). Inone implementation, one or more thermoelectric generator modulesconfigured to be utilized within an energy harvesting device maygenerate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient, andwithout using an energy storage device or medium (i.e. without a body,or a store of phase change material, among others). In one example, oneor more energy harvesting devices may be incorporated into an item ofathletic apparel of a user, and such that heat energy may be stored asthe item of athletic apparel is laundered. This heat energy maysubsequently be used to generate electrical energy using one or morethermoelectric generator modules, as described in the followingdisclosures. As such, a device incorporating a thermoelectric generatormodule, as described herein, may not include additional elements forenergy storage (i.e. may not include a battery, otherwise referred to asan axillary energy storage medium). In another example, a device thatincorporates a thermoelectric generator module, such as those describedherein, may utilize a hybrid of, among others, battery storage, inadditional to generating electrical energy using a thermoelectricgenerator module.

FIG. 6 depicts exemplary thermal harvesting devices according to exampleembodiments disclosed herein. In one example FIG. 6A schematicallydepicts one implementation of an energy harvesting device 600, accordingto one or more aspects described herein. In one example, the energyharvesting device 600 may be configured to be positioned within an itemof clothing, and may be configured to absorb and store heat energy fromone or more of a wash and dry cycle as the item of clothing is beinglaundered. In certain embodiments, the device 600 may be configured tobe irremovably positioned within an item, such as clothing. For example,a user may wear an article of clothing having the device 600 positionedin a first location within a garment or article, and the device remainsat the first location during cleaning and/or storage of the garment orarticle, such as in between subsequent uses or wear. In variousimplementations, the laundering of the device 600 and/or wearing of thedevice 600 during athletic activity, store absorbed heat energy, whichmay be used to generate electrical energy using a thermoelectricgenerator, such as thermoelectric generator 622.

In one implementation, the energy harvesting device 600 may comprise aninsulated container, otherwise referred to as a container structure. Forexample, in certain embodiments, one or more insulated containers mayform an outer casing of the device 600 (See, e.g., insulated container602). An insulated container, e.g., container 602, may form theouter-most perimeter or layer or device 600. An insulated container 602may further comprise an outer membrane 604 that has an outer surface 606and an inner surface 608. The insulated container 602 may furthercomprise an inner membrane 610 that is spaced apart, in terms of anouter periphery of the device 600, from the outer membrane 604. In turn,the example inner membrane 610 is shown having an outer surface 612, andan inner surface 614. An outer cavity 616 may be spaced between theouter membrane 604 and the inner membrane 610. An aperture 618 mayextend from the outer surface 606 of the outer membrane 604 to the innersurface 608 of the outer membrane 604. The aperture 618 may beconfigured to permit ingress and egress of a gas and/or fluid, such asfor example, air and/or water, or another fluid, from and to an externalenvironment (represented by reference numeral 601).

The energy harvesting device 600 may comprise an inner cavity 620encapsulated by the inner membrane 610. An outer heat exchanger 624 mayextend through the inner membrane 610. A thermoelectric generator 622may be positioned within the inner cavity 620. The thermoelectricgenerator 622 may be thermally-coupled to the outer heat exchanger 624at a first side 621 and to an inner heat exchanger 626 at a second side623. An expandable membrane 628, otherwise referred herein to as anexpandable bladder 628, may encapsulate a mass of phase-change material630, and at least a portion of the expandable membrane 628 may becoupled to the inner heat exchanger 626. Accordingly, the outer heatexchanger 624, the thermoelectric generator 622, and the inner heatexchanger 626 may be configured to allow bi-directional conduction ofheat energy between the phase-change material 630 and the externalenvironment 601 (i.e., conduction into or out from the phase-changematerial 630). In one example, the outer heat exchanger 624 may extendthrough the inner membrane 610. As such, a portion of the inner membrane610 may be sealed around at least a portion of the outer heat exchanger624.

In one example, the outer membrane 604 of the insulated container 602may comprise a polymer that is impermeable to air and water, and/orimpermeable to one or more additional fluids (e.g. one or more organicor synthetic oils, and/or one or more of nitrogen gas or helium gas,among many others). In certain embodiments, the outer membrane 604 maybe formed such that the structure of the outer membrane 604 isconfigured to be rigid during use of the device 600. In another example,the outer membrane 604 may be configured to be deformable during use ofthe device 600. In yet further embodiments, the outer membrane 604 maybe rigid in a first configuration, however, become more pliable orflexible in a second configuration, which may be automaticallytransitioned between in at least one intended use situation. In variousimplementations, the outer membrane 604 (and/or any other membranedisclosed herein) may comprise one or more of polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polycarbonate,polyurethane, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate,para-aramid, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyamide, polychloroprene,polyester, polyimide, phenol-formaldehyde resin, polyacrylonitrile,among other polymers. As such, the outer membrane 604 may comprise oneor more synthetic rubber materials, including styrene-butadiene rubbersas well as rubbers utilizing isoprene, chloroprene, and isobutylene.Additionally or alternatively, the outer membrane 604 may comprise oneor more ceramics, fiber-reinforced materials, metals or alloys, orcombinations thereof.

The inner membrane 610 of the insulated container 602 may comprise asame material, or combination of materials, as the outer membrane 604.Accordingly, the inner membrane 610 may be impermeable to air, waterand/or one or more additional fluids. In one example, the inner membrane610 may be configured to be rigid and maintain a consistent geometryduring use of the device 600. In another example, the inner membrane 610may be configured to deform during use of device 600. As discussed abovein reference to the outer membrane 604, the inner membrane 610 may betransitioned between at least two configurations in which the rigidityis altered. In certain implementations, the inner membrane 610 maycomprise a different material, or materials, to the outer membrane 604,and including one or more of the materials disclosed herein or generallyknown in the art.

The phase-change material 630 may be configured to store thermal energy(a.k.a. heat energy) by absorbing, in one example, an amount of energycorresponding to a latent heat energy for fusion (or specific latentheat for fusion) for a given phase-change material 630 in order tochange a state of the phase-change material 630 from a solid to aliquid. It is noted that additional energy may be absorbed and stored bythe phase-change material 630 in order to raise a temperature of thephase-change material (additional energy absorbed and stored by thephase-change material 630 may correspond to a heat capacity (or specificheat capacity) of the phase-change material 630).

In one implementation, an amount of energy stored by a phase-changematerial 630 (otherwise referred to as “PCM” 630) that is initially at atemperature T1 (Kelvin), heated to a temperature T2 (Kelvin), and havinga melting temperature Tm (Kelvin), with T1<Tm<T2 is given by:Energy stored [J]=(Tm−T1)[K]*(specific heat capacity of PCM in solidphase) [J/kg·K]*(mass of PCM) [kg]+(specific latent heat of fusion)[J/kg]*(mass of PCM) [kg]+(T2−Tm) [K]*(specific heat capacity of PCM inliquid phase) [J/kg·K]*(mass of PCM) [kg]  (Equation 1)

The phase-change material 630 may comprise a salt-hydrate based materialof the general form M_(n).H₂O, where M generally represents a metal atomor compound, and n is an integer. In one example, the phase-changematerial 630 may comprise sodium sulfate; Na₂.SO₄.10H₂O. In anotherexample, the phase-change material 630 may comprise NaCl.Na₂.SO₄.10H₂O.However, additional or alternative phase-change materials may beutilized with the energy harvesting device 600. In one example, aspecific phase-change material may be selected for use with the energyharvesting device 600 based upon an expected temperature range to whichthe energy harvesting device 600 may be exposed. As such, thephase-change material 630 may be selected to have a melting temperaturewithin the temperature range to which the energy harvesting device 600is expected to be exposed under one or more intended use conditions.

In one example, the energy harvesting device 600 may be configured tostore heat energy when a mean environmental temperature of the externalenvironment 601 is above a mean temperature of the phase-change material630, and configured to reject heat to the external environment 601 whenthe mean environmental temperature of the external environment 601 isbelow a mean temperature of the phase-change material 630. In oneexample, the energy harvesting device 600 may be configured to beexposed to the external environment 601 having a “mean cool temperature”(e.g. the temperature threshold in which . . . ) in the range ofapproximately −30° C. to approximately 45° C. In another example, themean cool temperature may be in the range of approximately −10° C. toapproximately 35° C., approximately 0° C. to approximately 30° C.,approximately 10° C. to 25° C., or approximately 20° C. to 25° C. In yetanother example, the mean cool temperature may be approximately 0° C.,approximately 20° C., approximately 21° C., or approximately 25° C. Inthis way, the mean cool temperature may correspond to a prevailingatmospheric temperature when the external environment 601 corresponds toan outdoor temperature, or to a room temperature, among others.Additionally, the energy harvesting device 600 may be configured to beexposed to an external environment 601 having a “mean hot temperature”in the range of approximately 35° C. to approximately 105° C. In anotherexample, the mean hot temperature may be in the range of approximately40° C. to a prop 95° C., 45° C. to approximately 85° C., approximately50° C. to approximately 80° C., or approximately 55° C. to approximately75° C. In this way, the mean hot temperature may correspond to aprevailing atmospheric temperature when the external environment 601corresponds to a “warm” or “hot” cycle of a wash cycle in a laundry(washing) machine (or combined “washer-dryer machine”), or a dryer cyclein a laundry (dryer) machine (or combined “washer-dryer machine”).

Additional or alternative environments configured to expose the energyharvesting device 600 to the described mean hot temperature may beutilized. For example, the energy harvesting device 600 may beconfigured to absorb heat energy from any external environment 601having a mean temperature above a mean temperature of the phase-changematerial 630. These additional or alternative environments may include ashower, a bath, or a sink environment, such that the energy harvestingdevice 600 may absorb a portion of energy associated with hot water froma shower, or a water-filled bath or sink. E.g. the energy harvestingdevice 600 may be brought into direct contact with hot water associatedwith a shower, bath, or a sink. In another example, the energyharvesting device 600 may absorb a portion of energy associated with ahot beverage (i.e. the energy harvesting device 600 may be submergedinto the hot beverage, or may be placed in close proximity to acontainer storing the hot beverage such that heat may be transferredbetween the hot beverage and the energy harvesting device 600. In yetanother embodiment, sweat from an athlete may be an energy source interms of thermal energy to be absorbed. In another example, the energyharvesting device 600 may absorb a portion of energy associated with oneor more home appliances. For example, the energy harvesting device 600may absorb a portion of heat energy associated with one or more lightbulbs (e.g., energy harvesting device 600 may be positioned in closeproximity to a light bulb emitting light energy as well as an amount ofheat energy. In another example, the energy harvesting device 600 mayabsorb a portion of heat energy associated with a home heating appliance(e.g. energy harvesting device 600 may be positioned in close proximityto a hot air vent, or a convection heater, among others). In yet anotherexample, the energy harvesting device 600 may be configured to absorb aportion of heat energy from a human body, either dry and/or wet, such asfrom perspiration, after a shower, or rain. In one example, the energyharvesting device 600 may be positioned proximate an exposed area ofskin of the user, or may absorb a portion of heat energy from a user'sbody through one or more intermediate layers of clothing and/orequipment. In one embodiment, a user-worn energy harvesting device 600may allow the gradient from the user's body to the ambient air to serveas an energy source.

The phase-change material 630 may be encapsulated within the expandablemembrane 628. As such, the expandable membrane 628 may comprise one ormore polymer materials, similar to those polymers described in relationto the outer membrane 604. In one example, one or more fluid-filledbladders may be utilized. Fluid filled bladder members are commonlyreferred to as “air bladders,” and the fluid is often a gas which iscommonly referred to as “air” without intending any limitation as to theactual gas composition used. Thus, as used herein, liquid or non-liquidsubstances may be utilized.

Any suitable components may be used for bladders or otherwise serve asmembranes. Regarding the materials for all or various portions of thebladders disclosed herein (e.g., the top and bottom barrier sheets,sidewalls elements and inner barrier layers) may be formed from the sameor different barrier materials, such as thermoplastic elastomer films,using known methods. Thermoplastic elastomer films that can be used withthe present invention include polyester polyurethane, polyetherpolyurethane, such as a cast or extruded ester based polyurethane filmhaving a shore “A” hardness of 80 95, e.g., Tetra Plastics TPW-250.Other suitable materials can be used such as those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,183,156 to Rudy, hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Among the numerous thermoplastic urethanes which areparticularly useful in forming the film layers are urethanes such asPellethane™, (a trademarked product of the Dow Chemical Company ofMidland, Mich.), Elastollan® (a registered trademark of the BASFCorporation) and ESTANE® (a registered trademark of the B.F. GoodrichCo.), all of which are either ester or ether based. Thermoplasticurethanes based on polyesters, polyethers, polycaprolactone andpolycarbonate macrogels can also be employed. Further suitable materialscould include thermoplastic films containing crystalline material, suchas disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,936,029 and/or 5,042,176 to Rudy, whichare incorporated by reference in their entirety; polyurethane includinga polyester polypol, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,340 toBonk et al., which is incorporated by reference in its entirety; ormulti-layer film formed of at least one elastomeric thermoplasticmaterial layer and a barrier material layer formed of a copolymer ofethylene and vinyl alcohol, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,065to Mitchell et al., which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In accordance with the present invention, the multiple film layerbladder can be formed with barrier materials that meet the specificneeds or specifications of each of its parts. The present inventionallows for top layer to be formed of a first barrier material, bottomlayer to be formed of a second barrier material and each part of thesidewall(s) to be formed of a third barrier material. Also, the sidewallparts can each be formed of different barrier materials. As discussedabove, the inner barrier sheets and the sidewall parts are formed of thesame barrier material when the inverted seam is formed by attaching theterminal ends of inner barrier sheets to the outer barrier sheetsadjacent a weld of the inner sheets. As a result, when the inner barriersheets are formed of a different material than outer barrier sheets, thesidewalls are formed of the same material as the inner barrier sheetmaterial. Also, when the inner barrier sheets are formed of differentmaterials, sidewall parts must be are formed of different materials aswell for compatibility.

In certain embodiments, modified or unmodified bladders historicallyutilized to provide cushioning in footwear may be utilized. One wellknown type of bladder used in footwear is commonly referred to as a “twofilm bladder.” These bladders may include an outer shell formed bywelding the peripheral edges of two symmetric pieces of a barriermaterial together. This results in the top, bottom and sidewalls of thebladder being formed of the same barrier material. In yet otherembodiments, a plurality of materials and/or components may formportions of a bladder.

The inventors have discovered that not only can certain bladders providecushioning, but also may provide a flexible, non-permeable containerthat allows thermal expansion of one or more phase change materials.Regarding cushioning, in certain embodiments, one of the advantages ofgas filled bladders is that gas as a cushioning compound is generallymore energy efficient than closed-cell foam. In certain embodiments, oneor more bladders may be configured to spread an impact force over alonger period of time, resulting in a smaller impact force beingtransmitted to the wearer's body.

In various embodiments, one or more bladders (which may comprise one ormore phase-change materials) include a tensile member to ensure a fixed,resting relation between the top and bottom barrier layers when thebladder is fully filled, and which often is in a state of tension whileacting as a restraining means to maintain the general external form ofthe bladder. Some example constructions may include composite structuresof bladders containing foam or fabric tensile members. One type of suchcomposite construction prior art concerns bladders employing anopen-celled foam core as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,874,640 and5,235,715 to Donzis, which is disclosed herein by reference in itsentirety.

Another type of composite construction prior art that may be used incertain embodiments, concerns air bladders which employ threedimensional fabric as tensile members such as those disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,906,502 and 5,083,361 to Rudy, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety. The bladders described in the Rudy patentshave enjoyed considerable commercial success in NIKE, Inc. brandfootwear under the name Tensile-Air® and Zoom™. Bladders using fabrictensile members virtually eliminate deep peaks and valleys, and themethods described in the Rudy patents have proven to provide anexcellent bond between the tensile fibers and barrier layers. Inaddition, the individual tensile fibers are small and deflect easilyunder load so that the fabric does not interfere with the cushioningproperties of air. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthese are mere examples and that other structures and implementationsare within the scope of this disclosure.

A portion of the expandable membrane 628 may be thermally-coupled to aninner side 627 of the inner heat exchanger 626. At least a portion,which may be another portion of the expandable membrane 628, may beconfigured to deform and expand in response to a thermal expansion ofthe phase-change material 630. This expansion of the expandable membrane628 may be limited by the boundaries of the inner cavity 620, as definedby the inner membrane 610.

In one example, the outer heat exchanger 624 and the inner heatexchanger 626 may comprise one or more metals or alloys with highthermal conductivity values. In one implementation, the outer heatexchanger 624 of the inner heat exchanger 626 may comprise plategeometries. In one implementation, one or more of the outer heatexchanger 624 and the inner heat exchanger 626 may comprise a copperalloy. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the outer heatexchanger 624 and the inner heat exchanger 626 may comprise an aluminumalloy. In one specific example, one or more of the outer heat exchanger624 and the inner heat exchanger 626 may comprise aluminum alloy 1050A,aluminum alloy 6061 or aluminum alloy 6063, among others.

The thermoelectric generator 622 may be configured to generateelectrical energy in response to a thermal gradient being applied acrossthe device (i.e. to generate electrical energy in response to a gradientbeing applied between the first side 621 and the second side 623 of thethermoelectric generator 622). In one example, a value of a voltageoutput from the thermoelectric generator may be directly proportional toa thermal gradient (temperature difference) across the device 622(between the first side 621 and the second side 623). In oneimplementation, the thermoelectric generator 622 may comprise highlydoped semiconductor materials configured to output a voltage as a resultof the Seebeck effect. In one example, a polarity of an output voltagefrom the thermoelectric generator 622 may depend on the direction ofheat transfer through the thermoelectric generator 622. For example,when heat is transferred from the phase-change material 630 through thethermoelectric generator 622 and out to the external environment 601, anoutput voltage from the thermoelectric generator 622 may have a firstpolarity. In another example, when heat is transferred from the externalenvironment 601 through the thermoelectric generator 622, and into thephase-change material 630, an output voltage from the thermoelectricgenerator 622 may have a second polarity, opposite the first polarity.Accordingly, the thermoelectric generator 622 may be configured with oneor more electrical circuits configured to condition (rectify) an outputvoltage to have a same polarity as heat is transferred into, or outfrom, and the phase-change material 630. Further details of this voltageconditioning are discussed in relation to FIG. 22.

In one example, the thermoelectric generator 622 may be configured toprovide electrical energy to one or more devices. Accordingly, thethermoelectric generator 622, as schematically depicted in FIG. 6A, mayrepresent one or more electrical components in addition to thethermoelectric generator itself. Further details of these one or moreelectrical components in addition to the thermoelectric generator arediscussed FIG. 22.

In one example, the phase-change material 630 may be configured to storeapproximately 0.1 J to 200 J of energy captured from the externalenvironment 601 when the external environment 601 is at a highertemperature than a temperature of the phase-change material 630.Accordingly, as the energy harvesting device 600 is storing energy, agradient across the thermoelectric generator 622 (with the first side621 at a higher temperature than the second side 623) may cause thethermoelectric generator 622 to generate a first amount of electricalenergy. When exposed to a cooler external environment 601 than thephase-change material 630, the energy harvesting device 600 may beconfigured to generate a second amount of electrical energy as a resultof a thermal gradient across the thermoelectric generator 622 (with thesecond side 623 at a higher temperature than the first side 621). In oneexample, the phase-change material 630 may be configured to reach anapproximate thermal equilibrium (reach an approximately sametemperature) with the external environment 601 at approximately 10° C.,15° C., 20° C., 21° C., 25° C., or in the range of approximately 5 to10° C., approximately 10 to 25° C., approximately 15 to 25° C.,approximately 20 to 25° C., or approximately 25 to 40° C. In oneimplementation, the phase-change material 630 may be configured to reachan approximate thermal equilibrium with the external environment 601within at least approximately: 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours,15 hours, 20 hours, 24 hours, 1.5 days, 2 days, three days, four days,five days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 14 days, or 21 days,among others. In another implementation, the phase-change material 630may be configured to reach an approximate thermal equilibrium with theexternal environment 601 within at least approximately 1 to 3 hours, 3to 6 hours, 6 to 9 hours, 9 to 12 hours, 12 to 24 hours, 1 to 2 days, 2to 3 days, 3 to 5 days, 5 to 8 days, 8 to 16 days, among others.

Certain embodiments may be configured to not reach equilibrium within acertain intended time frame under certain intended use conditions. Thetime frame may be as any time frame referenced above or any other timeframe. This may be advantageous, in certain embodiments, to regulatethermal energy transfer in a device intended or expected to be within anexternal environment for an expected threshold quantity of time. Forexample, one embodiment may require at least 1 hour at a thresholdtemperature range to reach thermal equilibrium to ensure certainelectronic components within the device are heated/cooled at or below arate and/or do not reach a threshold temperature level within that timethat would result in a likelihood of damage to components within thedevice, such as electronic components. Further, in certain embodiments,the device may be made smaller or with fewer components if it can beexposed to longer periods of thermal energy of certainintensity/intensities. As one specific example, a device that isembedded or intended to be imbedded in articles of clothing or washabletextiles may be configured to reach thermal equilibrium towards thelatter end of the expected time frame of a wash and/or dry cycle. Incertain embodiments, this may be referred to as a failure temperature(discussed in more detail below). Yet, temperatures may fluctuate,therefore, the overall energy transfer rate or cumulative energytransfer may be considered to calculate or determine a failure exposurecondition.

In another example, the energy harvesting device 600 may have a storageefficiency of at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, atleast 90%, ranging from 60 to 80%, or ranging from 50 to 90% over atimescale during which the energy harvesting device 600 may beconfigured to reach a thermal equilibrium with the external environment601, as described above. In this way, a storage efficiency may refer toa percentage of heat energy stored within the phase-change material 630that transfers through the thermoelectric generator 622. The remainingheat energy initially stored within the phase-change material 630 may belost to the external environment 601 through one or more alternativeheat transfer paths through the energy harvesting device 600 (withoutpassing through the thermoelectric generator 622). This heat losspercentage may be referred to as parasitic heat loss.

In one example, the thermoelectric generator 622 may have a conversionefficiency of approximately 5 to 8%. In another example, thethermoelectric generator 622 may have a conversion efficiency ofapproximately 1 to 6%, 7 to 10%, or 9 to 12%. This conversion efficiencymay represent an amount of electrical energy generated as a percentageof the heat energy stored within the energy harvesting device 600, or asa percentage of the heat energy stored within the energy harvestingdevice 600 that passes through the thermoelectric generator 622 ratherthan being lost to the external environment 601 by parasitic heat loss.

In one implementation, the energy harvesting device 600, and inparticular, the thermoelectric generator 622, may be configured tooutput a voltage in a range of 0.01 V to 12 V. In certain examples, thethermoelectric generator 622 may be configured to output a voltage of0.01 V, 0.02 V, 0.05 V, 0.1 V, 0.15 V, 0.25 V, 0.5 V, 0.75 V, 0.9 V, 1V, 1.1 V, 1.2 V, 1.5 V, 1.7 V, 1.75 V, 1.9V, 2.0 V, 2.5 V, 3.7V, 5 V, 9V, 9.9 V, or 10 V, among others. In one implementation, the energyharvesting device 600 may be configured to generate an amount ofelectrical energy over the timescale during which the phase-changematerial 630 is configured to reach thermal equilibrium with theexternal environment 601, as previously discussed. As such, this amountof electrical energy may range from 0.01 mAh to 200 mAh, among others.

In one implementation, one or more elements provided with electricalenergy by a thermoelectric generator, such as thermoelectric generator622 of energy harvesting device 600 may be configured to consumeelectrical energy (during average use) at a rate range from 1 microwattsto 1000 microwatts. However, additional energy consumption ranges may beutilized, without departing from the disclosures described herein.

The energy harvesting device 600 may be configured to transfer heatsubstantially along axis 629. Accordingly, axis 629 may be referred toas a primary axis of conduction 629 of the insulated container 602. Assuch, axis 629 may align with an approximate direction of heat transferthrough the outer heat exchanger 624, the thermoelectric generator 622,the inner heat exchanger 626 and the phase-change material 630. In oneimplementation, the aperture 618 may be aligned with the axis 629. Inone example, axis 629 may represent an approximate path of least thermalresistance through the energy harvesting device 600, and such thatalternative directions of heat transfer from and to the phase-changematerial 630 are associated with higher thermal resistances. In oneimplementation, the inner cavity 620 may provide insulation to thephase-change material 630 such that a first direction along axis 629represents an approximate direction of least thermal resistance. Theinner cavity 620 may be sealed by the inner membrane 610, and comprisean insulating material 625. In one implementation, the insulatingmaterial 625 may comprise a mass of air. The insulating material 625 maycomprise a mass of another gas, such as, for example, argon, nitrogen,oxygen, carbon dioxide, among others. The insulating material may,additionally or alternatively, comprise a polymer, such as an insulatingfoam. In certain specific examples, the insulating material 625 maycomprise fiberglass, polyurethane, polystyrene, or polyethylene, amongothers. In another implementation, the inner cavity 620 may comprise avacuum, or a vacuum chamber.

In one implementation, in order to reduce heat transfer into or out fromthe energy harvesting device 600 in a direction other than a firstdirection substantially along axis 629, one or more of the inner surfaceof the inner membrane 614, the outer surface of the inner membrane 612,the inner surface of the outer membrane 608, and/or the outer surface ofthe outer membrane 606 may comprise a low emissivity/high reflectivitycoating to reduce heat transfer by radiation. As such, any lowemissivity coating known in the art may be utilized.

It is noted that FIG. 6A is merely a schematic representation of theenergy harvesting device 600. As such, none of the depicted elements ofFIG. 6A should be construed as limiting the energy harvesting device 600to any specific geometries. For example, the circular geometries of theinner membrane 610 and the outer membrane 604 should not be construed aslimiting the energy harvesting device 600 to having a circularconfiguration. As such, the energy harvesting device 600 may be embodiedwith substantially rectangular or square geometries, without departingfrom the scope of these disclosures.

In one example, FIG. 6A schematically depicts the energy harvestingdevice 600 in a first configuration having the outer cavity 616 filledwith a mass of air 632. As such, the mass of air 632 may enter into theouter cavity 616 through the aperture 618 from the external environment601. In this way, the mass of air 632 may act as a thermal barrier (alayer of insulation) between the inner membrane 610, and the externalenvironment 601.

FIG. 6B schematically depicts a second configuration of the energyharvesting device 600, according to one or more aspects describedherein. In particular, FIG. 6B schematically depicts the energyharvesting device 600 having a mass of water 634 within the outer cavity616. The mass of water 634 may enter into the outer cavity 616 throughthe aperture 618. Further, the mass of air 632 may be partially orwholly displaced out from the outer cavity 616 through the aperture 618as the water 634 is entering into the outer cavity 616. In one example,the outer cavity 616 may expand upon being filled with a mass of water634. The device 600 may be configured to allow a certain mass or volumeof fluid (e.g., water) to enter during an intended wash cycle. In oneimplementation, the mass of water 634 may enter into the outer cavity616 during a wash cycle while the energy harvesting device 600 ispositioned within the washing machine (i.e. the external environment 601may comprise a mass of water within a washing machine). As such, themass of water 634 may enter into the outer cavity 616 during a washcycle as an item of clothing within which the energy harvesting device600 is positioned, is laundered. In one example, upon entering theexternal environment, the mass of water 634 may have a mean temperaturethat is higher than the mean temperature of the phase-change material630. As such, heat may be transferred through the outer heat exchanger624, the thermoelectric generator 622, and the inner heat exchanger 626into the phase-change material 630.

In one example, a mass of water 634 retained within the outer cavity 616of the energy harvesting device 600 may prevent the thermoelectricgenerator 622, as well as one or more additional electronic componentspowered by the thermoelectric generator 622, from being exposed to atemperature above a failure temperature. As such, a failure temperaturemay be a temperature at or above which one or more of the thermoelectricgenerator 622, or one or more electronic components powered by thethermoelectric generator 622 within the inner cavity 620, may experiencepartial or catastrophic failure. In particular, the mass of water 634may prevent the thermoelectric generator 622 from being exposed to atemperature above a failure temperature by absorbing a portion of heatenergy associated with, in one example, a dryer cycle as an item ofclothing, textile or other object within which the energy harvestingdevice 600 is retained, is laundered.

In one example, the mass of water 634 may enter into the outer cavity616 of the energy harvesting device 600 during a wash cycle as an itemof clothing, within which the energy harvesting device 600 is located,is laundered. Subsequently, the item of clothing, and in turn, theenergy harvesting device 600, may be exposed to a dryer cycle. In oneimplementation, while progressing through a dryer cycle, the mass ofwater 634 may absorb a portion of heat energy as the dryer warms thetextile, clothing or object, and shield the thermoelectric generator622, as well as one or more additional electronic components retainedwithin the inner cavity 620, from being exposed to a temperature above afailure temperature or failure time frame (or combinations thereof thatform a failure condition). In particular, the water 634 may absorb aportion of heat energy associated with a dryer cycle before evaporatingout through the aperture 618.

In one implementation, the outer cavity 616 may be configured such thatthe mass of water 634 retained within the outer cavity 616 mayevaporate, and allow the phase-change material 630 to absorb adesign/predetermined amount of heat energy, without exposing thethermoelectric generator 622 to a temperature above a failuretemperature, during a predetermined dryer cycle time. In oneimplementation, the predetermined dryer cycle time may be approximately15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes,60 minutes, 70 minutes, 80 minutes, 90 minutes, 100 minutes, 110minutes, or 120 minutes, or ranging from approximately 30 to 50 minutes,approximately 50 to 70 minutes, 70 to 90 minutes, or 90 to 120 minutes.In one implementation, the predetermined dryer cycle may be configuredto run at a “mean hot temperature,” as previously described, which mayin certain embodiments be a wide range of temperatures.

In one example, the mass of water 634 may be configured to enter intothe outer cavity 616 by capillary action. In another example, the massof water 634 may be configured to enter into the outer cavity 616 whenthe energy harvesting device 600 is exposed to one or more turbulenceforces associated with a wash cycle of a washing machine. In anotherexample, the mass of water 634 may be configured enter into the outercavity 616 when a pressure level of the external environment 601 isgreater than a pressure within the outer cavity 616 (in one example, apressure level of the external environment 601 may be greater than apressure within the outer cavity 616 when the energy harvesting device600 is submerged below a water surface and the outer cavity 616 containsa mass of air 632). In one implementation, the energy harvesting device600 containing a mass of air 632, as depicted in FIG. 6A, may have adensity of greater than 1 g/cm³. In another implementation, the energyharvesting device 600, as depicted in FIG. 6A containing a mass of air632 may have a density of less than 1 g/cm³.

FIG. 6C schematically depicts a third configuration of the energyharvesting device 600, according to one or more aspects describedherein. In one example, FIG. 6C schematically depicts an expandablemembrane, such as membrane 628 of FIG. 6B in a second, expandedconfiguration. Thus, in certain embodiments FIG. 6B schematicallydepicts the expandable membrane 628 in a first, contractedconfiguration, and FIG. 6C schematically depicts the energy harvestingdevice 600 storing an amount of heat energy within the phase-changematerial 630. It is noted that when in the expanded configurationdepicted in FIG. 6C, a portion of the expandable membrane 628 isretained in a thermal coupling to the inner side 627 of the inner heatexchanger 626.

FIG. 6D schematically depicts an example energy harvesting device, whichmay be in certain implementations, a fourth configuration of the energyharvesting device 600, according to one or more aspects describedherein. As previously discussed, the outer membrane 604 of the energyharvesting device 600 may be deformable (compressible). In one example,the energy harvesting device 600 may be coupled to, or integrally-formedwith, an item of clothing. As such, in order to conform to one or morecontours of a human user, the outer membrane 604 may be configured to becompressible when exposed to an external force, such as external force636. In one example, the energy harvesting device 600 may be positionedwithin the item of clothing or equipment configured to be worn in atightly-fitted configuration on the user's body. As such, FIG. 6D mayschematically represent a compressed configuration resulting from a userputting on the item of clothing or equipment within which the energyharvesting device 600 may be positioned. In this way, the external force636 may represent a force exerted by the tightly-fitted item ofclothing/equipment, and the user's body, on the energy harvesting device600.

As schematically depicted in FIG. 6D, the external force 636 may bealigned substantially along axis 629. In another implementation, anexternal force may be exerted substantially along an alternative axis,or may be resolved along two or more axes. However, in oneimplementation, the energy harvesting device 600 may be configured suchthat an external force 636 acts substantially along a first directionalong axis 629. In one example, the external force 636 may be utilizedto reduce a separation distance 631 between the outer membrane 604 andthe inner membrane 610. In this way, an amount of insulation provided bythe outer cavity 616 between an outer surface 633 of the outer heatexchanger 624 and the external environment 601 may be reduced bycompression of the outer membrane 604 due to the external force 636. Inthis way, by compressing the outer membrane 604 substantially along axis629, a thermal resistance associated with a conduction pathway throughthe inner heat exchanger 626, the thermoelectric generator 622, and theouter heat exchanger 624 may be reduced. Accordingly, in accordance withone embodiment, when the outer membrane 604 is in the expandedconfiguration, as depicted for example, in FIG. 6C (i.e. when, in oneexample, the energy harvesting device 600 is not being worn by a user),the outer cavity 616 may be configured to provide increased thermalresistance, thereby reducing heat transfer out of the phase-changematerial 630 (and consequently, reducing electrical energy generation bythe thermoelectric generator 622). When the outer membrane 604 is in acompressed configuration, as depicted in FIG. 6D (i.e. when, in oneexample, the energy harvesting device 600 is being worn by a user), theouter cavity 616 may be configured to provide a decreased thermalresistance, thereby increasing heat transfer out of the phase-changematerial 630 through the thermoelectric generator 622. As such, thecompressive external force 636, when aligned along axis 629, mayreconfigure the energy harvesting device 600 into a compressedconfiguration conducive to generation of electrical energy when it isneeded by the user (i.e. when the energy harvesting devices being wornby the user).

FIG. 7A schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 700, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that the energy harvesting device 700 may includeone or more elements similar to those elements described in relation toenergy harvesting device 600 from FIGS. 6A-6D, where similar referencenumerals represent similar components and features. The energyharvesting device 700 may be configured with an insulated container 701having an outer membrane 604 with a plurality of apertures 702 a-702 i.Accordingly, apertures 702 a-702 i may represent one implementation of aplurality of apertures extending from the outer surface 606 of the outermembrane 604 to the inner surface 608 of the outer member 604, andgreater than or fewer than the depicted apertures 702 a-702 i may beutilized with the energy harvesting device 700, without departing fromthe scope of these disclosures.

In one example, FIG. 7A schematically depicts the energy harvestingdevice 700 in an expanded configuration. In turn, FIG. 7B schematicallydepicts an energy harvesting device, which may be energy harvestingdevice 700 of FIG. 7A, in a compressed configuration, similar to thatcompressed configuration depicted in FIG. 6D. In one example, theapertures 702 a-702 i may be substantially aligned with the outersurface 633 of the outer heat exchanger 624. As such, when in thecompressed configuration of FIG. 7B, the plurality of apertures 702a-702 i may be substantially proximate the outer surface 633 of theouter heat exchanger 624.

FIG. 8 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 800, according to one or more aspects describedherein. Accordingly, the energy harvesting device 800 may include one ormore elements similar to those elements described in relation to energyharvesting devices 600 and 700 (or any other energy harvesting devicedisclosed herein), where similar reference numerals represent similarcomponents and features. The energy harvesting device 800 may beconfigured with an insulated container 802, the insulated container 802having an outer membrane 604 with a plurality of apertures 804 a-804 f.Accordingly, apertures 804 a-804 f may represent one implementation of aplurality of apertures extending from the outer surface 606 of the outermembrane 604 to the inner surface 608 of the outer membrane 604. In oneimplementation, greater than, or fewer than, the depicted apertures 804a-804 f may be utilized with the energy harvesting device 800, withoutdeparting from the scope of these disclosures.

In one example, and in contrast to FIG. 7A, the apertures 804 a-804 fmay not be aligned with the outer surface 633 of the outer heatexchanger 624. In one example, the apertures 804 a-804 f may bepositioned on the outer membrane 604 such that when in a compressedconfiguration, similar to FIG. 7B, the plurality of apertures 804 a-804f of the energy harvesting device 800 are not positioned proximate theouter surface 633 of the outer heat exchanger 624. In one example, theplurality of apertures 804 a-804 f may be positioned beyond axes 808 and810, where axes 808 and 810, in one example, extend from an approximatecenter 806 of the energy harvesting device 800 through corners(outermost edges) 818 and 820 of the outer heat exchanger 633. Inanother example, the plurality of apertures 804 a-804 f may bepositioned beyond axes 812 and 814, where axes 812 and 814, extendapproximately parallel to axis 629 from corners 818 and 820 of the outerheat exchanger 633.

FIG. 9 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 900, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that the energy harvesting device 900 may includeone or more elements similar to one or more elements described inrelation to energy harvesting devices 600, 700 and 800 or any otherdevice described herein, where similar reference numerals representsimilar components and features. In one example, an insulated container902 of the energy harvesting device 900 may comprise a polymeric foam904 positioned within the outer cavity 616. In one example, the foam 904may comprise an open-cell (reticulated) foam. In another example, thefoam 904 may comprise a closed-cell foam. In specific implementations,foam 904 may comprise one or more of polyurethane foam, polyvinylchloride foam, Styrofoam, polyimide foam, silicone foam, ormicrocellular foam, among others. In one implementation, the foam 904may be configured to absorb a mass of water, similar to the mass ofwater 634 described in relation to FIG. 6B. In one example, the foam 904may expand within the outer cavity 616 as a mass of water is absorbed,and contract upon evaporation of the mass of water. Additionally oralternatively, the outer cavity 616 may be configured to retain a massof air, similar to the mass of air 632, in addition to the foam 904. Incertain embodiments, it may be configured to retain a mass or volume orair under one intended use condition and a volume or mass of water undera second intended use condition.

FIG. 10 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 1000, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that the energy harvesting device 1000 may includeone or more elements similar to one or more elements described inrelation to energy harvesting devices 600, 700 and 800, 900 (and/or anyother energy harvesting device disclosed herein), where similarreference numerals represent similar components and features. In oneexample, the energy harvesting device 1000 may comprise an insulatedcontainer 1001 that forms an outer casing of the device 1000. Theinsulated container 1001 may further comprise an outer membrane 604 thathas an outer surface 606 and an inner surface 608. The insulatedcontainer 1001 may further comprise an inner membrane 610 having anouter surface 612 and an inner surface 614. An outer cavity 616 may bespaced between the outer membrane 604 and the inner membrane 610. In oneimplementation, one or more apertures 1008 a and 1008 b may extend fromthe outer surface 606 of the outer membrane 604 to the inner surface 608of the outer membrane 604. The apertures 1008 a and 1008 b may beconfigured to permit ingress of air and/or water from an externalenvironment 601. The energy harvesting device 1000 may further comprisean inner cavity 620 encapsulated by the inner membrane 610. Athermoelectric generator 1004 may be positioned within the inner cavity620. In one example, the thermoelectric generator 1004 may be similar tothe thermoelectric generator 622. The thermoelectric generator 1004 maybe thermally-coupled to an outer heat exchanger 1002 at a first side1008, and to an inner heat exchanger 1006 at a second side 1010. In oneimplementation, the inner heat exchanger 1006 and the thermoelectricgenerator 1004 may be fully contained within the inner cavity 620. Theouter heat exchanger 1002 may, in one example, extend between the innercavity 620 and the external environment 601. As such, the outer heatexchanger may extend through the inner membrane 610 and the outermembrane 604, such that at least one surface of the outer heat exchanger1002 is exposed to the inner cavity 620, and at least one surface of theouter heat exchanger 1002 is exposed to the external environment 601. Anexpandable membrane 628, otherwise referred to as an expandable bladder628, may encapsulate a mass of phase-change material 630, and at least aportion of the expandable membrane 628 may be thermally-coupled to theinner heat exchanger 1006. Accordingly, the outer heat exchanger 1002,the thermoelectric generator 1004, and the inner heat exchanger 1006 maybe configured to allow bi-directional conduction of heat between thephase-change material 630, and the external environment 601. In oneexample, this bi-directional conduction of heat may be substantiallyalong axis 629, otherwise referred to as a primary axis of conduction629 of the insulated container 1001.

In one example, the one or more apertures 1008 a and 1008 b of theinsulating container 1001 may be positioned on the outer membrane 604such that the apertures 1008 a and 1008 b are not substantially alignedalong axis 629, and such that heat conduction is primarily through theouter heat exchanger 1002, the thermoelectric generator 1004, the innerheat exchanger 1006, and the phase-change material 630. In yet oneembodiment, any of the energy harvesting devices disclosed herein suchthat an exit point or aperture may be placed such that exiting steamfrom heated fluid such as water is positioned to provide thermal energyto at least one heat exchanger.

FIG. 11 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 1100, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that the energy harvesting device 1100 may includeone or more elements similar to one or more elements described inrelation to energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900 (and/or anyenergy harvesting device disclosed herein), and 1000, where similarreference numerals represent similar components and features. In oneexample, the energy harvesting device 1100 may have an insulatedcontainer 1102. In one example, the insulating container 1102 may besimilar to insulated containers 602, 701, 802, 902, and 1001, aspreviously described.

The energy harvesting device 1100 may have a permeable outer membrane1104 (permeable at least to air and/or water) having an outer surface1006 and an inner surface 1008. As such, an outer cavity 616 of theenergy harvesting device 1100 may contain a mass of air 632, and may beconfigured to allow a mass of water, similar to that mass of water 634described in relation to FIG. 6B, to displace at least a portion of themass of air 632 when the energy harvesting device 1100 is exposed towater within the external environment 601.

It will be appreciated that various combinations of the implementationsdescribed herein may be realized. For example, the energy harvestingdevice 1100 may be combined with an open-cell foam, similar to open-cellfoam 904, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In thisalternative implementation, the insulated container 1102 may form theouter casing of the device 1100. Insulated container 1102 may furthercomprise the permeable outer membrane 1104 having an outer surface 1106,and an inner surface 1108. The insulated container 1102 may furthercomprise an inner membrane 610 that has an outer surface 612 and aninner surface 614. An outer cavity 616 may be spaced between the outermembrane 1104 and the inner membrane 610. This outer cavity 616 may beat least partially filled with open-cell foam, similar to open-cell foam904, as described in FIG. 9. An inner cavity 620 may be encapsulated bythe inner membrane 610. In one implementation, and an outer heatexchanger 624 may extend through the inner membrane 610, such that atleast a first surface of the outer heat exchanger 624 is exposed to theouter cavity 616 and at least a second surface of the outer heatexchanger 624 is exposed to the inner cavity 620, or exposed to anelement positioned within the inner cavity 620. As such, athermoelectric generator 622 may be positioned within the inner cavity620, the thermoelectric generator 622 being thermally-coupled to theouter heat exchanger 624 at a first side 621 and to an inner heatexchanger 626 at a second side 623. Additionally, an expandable membrane628, otherwise referred to as an expandable bladder 628, may encapsulatea mass of phase-change material 630, and at least a portion of theexpandable membrane 628 may be coupled to the inner heat exchanger 626.Furthermore, additional combinations of the described implementations ofvarious energy harvesting devices may be realized, without departingfrom the scope of these disclosures.

FIG. 12 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 1200, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1200 may include oneor more elements similar to one or more elements described in relationto energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, and 1100 (and/orany other energy harvesting device disclosed herein), where similarreference numerals represent similar components and features. In oneexample, the energy harvesting device 1200 may have an insulatedcontainer 1202, which may be similar to insulated container 602, 701,802, 902, 1001, and 1102, as previously described.

In one implementation, the energy harvesting device 1200 may beconfigured to allow bi-directional conduction of heat between aphase-change material 630 and an external environment 601 through athermoelectric generator 1204 (which may be similar to thermoelectricgenerator 622), and an inner heat exchanger 1206 (which may be similarto the inner heat exchanger 626). As such, the energy harvesting device1200 may not utilize an outer heat exchanger (such as the outer heatexchanger 624), and such that a fluid within the outer cavity 616 (whichmay be, among others, a mass of air 632, or a mass of water 634) mayconduct heat directly to the thermoelectric generator 1204 at a firstside 1208. In this way, a primary axis of conduction associated with theenergy harvesting device 1200 may be substantially along axis 629through the thermoelectric generator 1204, the inner heat exchanger1206, and through to the expandable membrane 628 encapsulating a mass ofphase-change material 630.

Accordingly, in one example, at least a portion of the thermoelectricgenerator 1204 may extend through the inner membrane 610. As such, theat least a portion of the thermoelectric generator 1204 may extendthrough an opening in the inner membrane 610. Accordingly, this openingmay form a seal around the thermoelectric generator 1204.

FIG. 13 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 1300, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1300 may include oneor more elements similar to one or more elements described in relationto energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200(and/or any thermal energy harvesting device disclosed herein), wheresimilar reference numerals represent similar components and features. Inone example, the energy harvesting device 1300 may comprise an insulatedcontainer 1302, which may be similar to insulated container 602. Theinsulated container 1302 may further have an outer membrane 1303,similar to outer membrane 604, and an inner membrane 1304, similar toinner membrane 610. An outer cavity 1306 may be spaced between the outermembrane 1303 and the inner membrane 1304. An aperture 1314, similar toaperture 618, may extend from an external environment 601 through to theouter cavity 1306. As such, the aperture 1314 may be configured topermit ingress/egress of air and/or water from/to the externalenvironment 601.

The energy harvesting device 1300 may further comprise an inner cavity1308, similar to inner cavity 620. The inner cavity 1308 may beencapsulated by the inner membrane 1304. In one example, athermoelectric generator 1320, similar to thermoelectric generator 622,may be encapsulated within the outer cavity 1306. Accordingly, thethermoelectric generator 1320 may be thermally-coupled to an outer heatexchanger 1322, similar to outer heat exchanger 624, at a first side1330. Further, the thermoelectric generator 1320 may bethermally-coupled to an inner heat exchanger 1318, similar to inner heatexchanger 626, at a second side 1332. In one example, the inner heatexchanger 1332 may extend across the inner membrane 1304, such that theinner membrane 1304 is sealed around the inner heat exchanger 1318, andthe inner heat exchanger 1318 may have at least one surface in contactwith the inner cavity 1308, and/or at least one surface in contact withan element positioned within the inner cavity 1308. In one example, aportion of an expandable membrane 1312, similar to expandable membrane628, may be coupled to the inner heat exchanger 1318, the expandablemembrane 1312 encapsulating a mass of phase-change material 1310,similar to that mass of phase-change material 630.

The outer membrane 1303 and the inner membrane 1304 may be substantiallyimpermeable. Accordingly, a mass of air and/or water may enter into theouter cavity 1306 through the aperture 1314 in the outer membrane 1303.In one example, an insulating material 1316 may encapsulate at least aportion of the thermoelectric generator 1320, such that a fluid (whichmay include, among others, water and/or air) within the outer cavity1306 does not come into direct contact with the thermoelectric generator1320. In this regard, the insulating material 1316 may comprise one ormore of a polymer, a metal, an alloy or a ceramic, and may include, butis not limited to, any specific material disclosed in this document, orany material known in the art. Further, the insulating material 1316 maybe utilized to prevent heat conduction along a non-desirable axis, andsuch that heat conduction through the inner heat exchanger 1318, thethermoelectric generator 1320, and the outer heat exchanger 1322 issubstantially along axis 1334, similar to axis 629. In oneimplementation, an outer surface 1336 of the outer heat exchanger 1322may be exposed to the outer cavity 1306.

FIGS. 14A and 14B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device 1400, according to one or more aspectsdescribed herein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1400 mayinclude one or more elements similar to one or more elements describedin relation to energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100,1200, and 1300 (and/or any other energy harvesting device disclosedherein), where similar reference numerals represent similar componentsand features. In one example, the energy harvesting device 1400 may beconfigured to deform, or compress, between an expanded configuration, asdepicted in FIG. 14A, and a compressed configuration, as depicted inFIG. 14B.

Accordingly, the energy harvesting device 1400 may comprise an insulatedcontainer 1402, which may be similar to insulating container 602. Assuch, the insulated container 1402 may comprise an outer membrane 604having an outer surface 606 and an inner surface 608. The insulatedcontainer 1402 may further comprise an inner membrane 610 having anouter surface 612 and an inner surface 614. An outer cavity 616 may bespaced between the outer membrane 604 and the inner membrane 610. In oneexample, an aperture 1410 may extend from the outer surface 606 of theouter membrane 604 to the inner surface 608 of the outer membrane 604.In one implementation, the aperture 1410 may be positioned on the outermembrane 604 such that the aperture 1410 is not substantially alignedwith a primary conduction axis 1412 of the energy harvesting device1400. This aperture 1410 may be configured to permit ingress and egressof air and/or water from and to an external environment 601. The energyharvesting device 1400 may further comprise an inner cavity 620encapsulated by the inner membrane 610.

In one implementation, the energy harvesting device 1400 may comprise anouter heat exchanger 1404 extending through the outer membrane 604.Accordingly, in the expanded configuration depicted in FIG. 14A, theouter heat exchanger 1404 may have an outer surface 1414 exposed to theexternal environment 601, and an inner surface 1416 exposed to the outercavity 616. As such, in the expanded configuration of FIG. 14A, theinner surface 1416 of the outer heat exchanger 1404 may be spaced apartfrom an outer surface 1418 of a thermoelectric generator 1406. In oneexample, the thermoelectric generator 1406 may be similar to thethermoelectric generator 622. The thermoelectric generator 1406 may bepositioned within the inner cavity 620, and have at least a portionextending through the inner membrane 610 such that the outer surface1418 is exposed to the outer cavity 616. As such, in the expandedconfiguration schematically depicted in FIG. 14A, the inner surface 1416of the outer heat exchanger 1404, may be spaced apart from the outersurface 1418 of the thermoelectric generator 1406.

The thermoelectric generator 1406 may be thermally-coupled to an innerheat exchanger 1408, similar to inner heat exchanger 626, at an innersurface 1420. In turn, an expandable membrane 628 may encapsulate a massof phase-change material 630, and such that at least a portion of theexpandable membrane 628 may be coupled to the inner heat exchanger 1408.

An expanded configuration of the energy harvesting device 1400, asdepicted in FIG. 14A, may include a separation distance 1422 between theinner surface 1416 of the outer heat exchanger 1404, and the outersurface 1418 of the thermoelectric generator 1406. When transitionedinto a compressed configuration, as schematically depicted in FIG. 14B,this separation distance 1422 may be reduced to approximately zero, suchthat the inner surface 1416 of the outer heat exchanger 1404 ispositioned proximate to the outer surface 1418 of the thermoelectricgenerator 1406. In one example, an external force 1411 appliedsubstantially parallel to axis 1412 may compress the energy harvestingdevice 1400, thereby urging the outer heat exchanger 1414 towards thethermoelectric generator 1406. As such, when in the compressedconfiguration, as depicted in FIG. 14B, a thermal resistance along axis1412 may be reduced (in one example, a thermal resistance may be reducedby reducing the separation between the outer heat exchanger 1404 and thethermoelectric generator 1406).

In one example, when in the expanded configuration, as schematicallydepicted in FIG. 14A, having the outer heat exchanger 1404 spaced apartfrom the thermoelectric generator 1406, the thermal resistance resultingfrom the separation distance 1422 may be such that thermal conductionsubstantially along axis 1412 is below a threshold level of conduction.In turn, an amount of electrical energy generated by the thermoelectricgenerator 1406 when in the expanded configuration depicted in FIG. 14Amay be below a threshold amount of generated electrical energy.Conversely, when the outer heat exchanger 1404 is brought into contactwith the thermoelectric generator 1406, as schematically depicted by thecompressed configuration of the energy harvesting device 1400 of FIG.14B, heat conduction substantially along axis 1412 may be above thethreshold level of heat conduction. In turn, the electrical energygenerated by the thermoelectric generator 1406 may be above thethreshold amount of generated electrical energy. In one example, thisthreshold amount of generated electrical energy, which may be monitoredas one or more of a voltage or a current, among others, may be used todetermine whether or not there is an external force 1411 being appliedto the energy harvesting device 1400. As such, an output from thethermoelectric generator 1406 may be used to detect an external force1411 applied to the energy harvesting device 1400. Additionally, anoutput from the thermoelectric generator 1406 may be used to detectwhether an item of clothing within which the energy harvesting device1400 is positioned is being worn/utilized by a user (whereby it may beassumed that the external force 1411 may result from compression of theenergy harvesting device 1400 between one or more layers of clothing andthe user's body while the item of clothing within which the energyharvesting device 1400 is positioned is being worn by the user). Assuch, the energy harvesting device 1400, when compressed from theexpanded configuration, as schematically depicted in FIG. 14A, to thecompressed configuration, as schematically depicted in FIG. 14B, may beutilized as a switch device configured to detect an application of anexternal force 1411 to the energy harvesting device 1400.

FIGS. 15A and 15B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device 1500, according to one or more aspectsdescribed herein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1500 mayinclude one or more elements similar to one or more elements describedin relation to energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100,1200, 1300, and 1400, (and/or any other energy harvesting devicedisclosed herein), where similar reference numerals represent similarcomponents and features. In a similar manner to energy harvesting device1400, the energy harvesting device 1500 may be configured to deform, orcompress, between an expanded configuration, as depicted in FIG. 15A,and a compressed configuration, as depicted in FIG. 15B.

Accordingly, the energy harvesting device 1500 may comprise an insulatedcontainer 1502, which may be similar to insulated container 602.Further, the energy harvesting device 1500 may comprise an outer heatexchanger 1504, similar to outer heat exchanger 624, coupled to theouter membrane 604. As such, the outer heat exchanger 1504 may extendthrough the outer membrane 604, with the outer membrane 604 sealedaround at least a portion of the outer heat exchanger 1504. The outerheat exchanger 1504 may have an outer surface 1516 exposed to anexternal environment 601 and an inner surface 1518 that is rigidly andthermally-coupled to a thermoelectric generator 1506 within an outercavity 616. As such, in an expanded configuration, as schematicallydepicted in FIG. 15A, there may be a separation distance 1530 between aninner surface 1532 of a thermoelectric generator 1506, similar tothermoelectric generator 622, and an outer surface 1534 of the innerheat exchanger 1508, similar to the inner heat exchanger 626.

The insulated container 1502 of the energy harvesting device 1500 maycomprise an aperture 1510, similar to aperture 618. In one example, theaperture 1000 may extend from an outer surface 606 of the outer membrane604 through to the inner surface 608 of the outer membrane 604. As such,the aperture 1510 may not be positioned substantially along axis 1511,where axis 1511 is substantially aligned along a primary conduction axisthrough the energy harvesting device 1500, similar to axis 629.

FIG. 15B schematically depicts the energy harvesting device 1500 in acompressed configuration. The energy harvesting device 1500 may betransitioned into the depicted compressed configuration of FIG. 15B byexternal force 1512, similar to external force 636. When in thecompressed configuration of FIG. 15B, the thermoelectric generator 1506may be positioned proximate the inner heat exchanger 1508, such that theseparation distance 1530 is reduced to approximately zero, and such thatthermal conduction from the phase-change material 630 through the innerheat exchanger 1508, the thermoelectric generator 5006, and the outerheat exchanger 1504 substantially along axis 1511 may be enhanced.

FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device 1600, according to one or more aspectsdescribed herein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1600 mayinclude one or more elements similar to one or more elements describedin relation to energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100,1200, 1300, 1400, and 1500 (and/or any other energy harvesting devicedisclosed herein), where similar reference numerals represent similarcomponents and features. In particular, the energy harvesting device1600 may be similar to energy harvesting device 1400, as schematicallydepicted in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B. As such, the energy harvesting device1600 may have an insulated container 1602, similar to insulatingcontainer 1402.

In one implementation, the energy harvesting device 1600 may comprisethe insulated container 1602 comprising a deformable outer membrane 604that has an outer surface 606, and an inner surface 608. The insulatedcontainer 1602 may further have a deformable inner membrane 610 that isspaced apart from the deformable outer membrane 604, the deformableinner membrane 610 having an outer surface 612 and an inner surface 614.The energy harvesting device 1600 may further have an outer cavity 1620spaced between the outer membrane 604 and the inner membrane 610. Aninner cavity 620 may be encapsulated by the deformable inner membrane610. An outer heat exchanger 1604 may be coupled to the deformable outermembrane 604, the outer heat exchanger 1604 having an outer surface 1626exposed to an external environment 601, and an inner surface 1628exposed to the outer cavity 616. A thermoelectric generator 1606 may bepositioned within the inner cavity 620, the thermoelectric generator1606 comprising an outer surface 1630 exposed to the outer cavity 1620through the deformable inner membrane 610. The thermoelectric generator1606 may further have an inner surface 1632 that is thermally-coupled toan inner heat exchanger 1608. The energy harvesting device 1600 mayfurther comprise a phase-change material membrane 628, at least aportion of the phase-change material membrane 628 coupled to the innerheat exchanger 1608, and encapsulating a mass of phase-change material630.

The insulated container 1602 may comprise an outer membrane 604 that isimpermeable. Further, and in contrast to the insulated container 1402,as schematically depicted in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, the insulatedcontainer 1602 may not be embodied with an aperture through the outermembrane 604. As such, an outer cavity 616 may be sealed. In oneexample, the outer cavity 616 may contain a mass of fluid 1620. As such,fluid 1620 may comprise, among others, air, nitrogen, or oxygen. Inanother implementation, the outer cavity 616 may be partially or whollyfilled with an insulating material, such as a foam. As such, the foammay include one or more open-cell or closed-cell foams as describedherein, or any other insulating foam known in the art. In anotherimplementation, the outer cavity 616 may comprise a vacuum cavity.

In one example, the energy harvesting device 1600 may be configured tobe transitioned between an expanded configuration, as schematicallydepicted in FIG. 16A, and a compressed configuration, as schematicallydepicted in FIG. 16B. In the expanded configuration of FIG. 16A, aseparation distance 1622 may exist between an inner surface 1628 of theouter heat exchanger 1604, and an outer surface 1630 of thethermoelectric generator 1606. This separation distance 1622 may resultin a comparatively higher thermal resistance along axis 1624, therebyreducing conduction through, and electrical energy produced by, thethermoelectric generator 1606. In comparison, when transitioned into acompressed configuration by force 1612, as schematically depicted inFIG. 16B, the outer heat exchanger 1604 may be urged towards thethermoelectric generator 1606. In this way, the separation distance 1622may be reduced to approximately zero in the compressed configuration ofFIG. 16B. As such, a thermal resistance substantially along axis 1624may be comparatively lower in the compressed configuration than in theexpanded configuration depicted in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B schematically depict another implementation of anenergy harvesting device 1700, according to one or more aspectsdescribed herein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1700 mayinclude one or more elements similar to one or more elements describedin relation to energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100,1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, and 1600, (and/or any other energy harvestingdevice disclosed herein) where similar reference numerals representsimilar components and features.

The energy harvesting device 1700 may comprise an insulated container1702 that has an outer membrane 1714 encapsulating an internal cavity1716. An outer heat exchanger 1704 may extend through the outer membrane1714, such that the outer heat exchanger 1704 has an outer surface 1720in contact with an external environment 601. In this way, the outer heatexchanger 1704 may be similar to the outer heat exchanger 624. Athermoelectric generator 1706 may be positioned within the internalcavity 1716, and sandwiched between the outer heat exchanger 1704, andan inner heat exchanger 1708. In one example, the thermoelectricgenerator 1706 may be similar to thermoelectric generator 622, and theinner heat exchanger 1708 may be similar to inner heat exchanger 626. Anexpandable membrane 1712 may encapsulate a mass of phase-change material1710, such that at least a portion of the expandable membrane 1712 iscoupled to the inner heat exchanger 7008. As such, the expandablemembrane 1712 may be similar to expandable membrane 628, and the mass ofphase-change material 1710 may be similar to phase-change material 630.Bi-directional conduction of heat between the phase-change material1710, and the external environment 601 may be substantially along axis1722 through the inner heat exchanger 1708, the thermoelectric generator1706, and the outer heat exchanger 1704.

The internal cavity 1716 may be partially or wholly filled with a massof air, nitrogen, oxygen, or another gas. Additionally or alternatively,the internal cavity 1716 may be partially or wholly filled with anotherfluid, or with a solid material. In one example, the internal cavity1716 may be partially or wholly filled with an insulating foam, such asone or more of the foams described herein, or any other insulating foamknown in the art. As the phase-change material 1710 absorbs heat energyfrom the external environment 601, the expandable membrane 1712 maydeform to accommodate thermal expansion of the phase-change material1710. As such, the expandable membrane 1712 may expand into the cavity1716, and displace a material within the cavity 1716. The expandablemembrane 1712 is shown in a comparatively expanded configuration in FIG.17B. In one example, the cavity 1716 may comprise a vacuum. As such,where the term “vacuum” is used in this disclosure, it may beinterpreted as a pressure (absolute pressure) below 1 atm. In anotherexample, the term “vacuum” may refer to a pressure below 1 bar.

FIG. 18 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 1800, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1800 may include oneor more elements similar to one or more elements described in relationto energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300,1400, 1500, 1600, and 1700, where similar reference numerals representsimilar components and features. Accordingly, energy harvesting device1800 may be similar to energy harvesting device 1000, and have aninsulated container 1802. In one example, the insulated container 1802is not embodied with an opening. As such, the outer cavity 1616 may besealed. As such, the outer cavity 1616 may be partially or wholly filledwith a mass of fluid (air, nitrogen, oxygen, among others), and/oranother insulating material, such as a polymeric foam.

FIG. 19 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 1900, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 1900 may include oneor more elements similar to one or more elements described in relationto energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300,1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, and 1800 (and/or any other energy harvestingdevice disclosed herein) where similar reference numerals representsimilar components and features. In one example, the energy harvestingdevice 1900 may be similar to energy harvesting device 1700. As such,the energy harvesting device 1900 may comprise an insulated container1902 that has an outer membrane 1914 encapsulating an internal cavity1916. An outer heat exchanger 1904 may extend through the outer membrane1914, such that the outer heat exchanger 1904 has an outer surface 1922in contact with an external environment 601. In this way, the outer heatexchanger 1904 may be similar to the outer heat exchanger 624. Athermoelectric generator 1906 may be positioned within the internalcavity 1916, and sandwiched between the outer heat exchanger 1904, andan inner heat exchanger 1908. In one example, the thermoelectricgenerator 1906 may be similar to the thermoelectric generator 622. Theinner heat exchanger 1908 may further comprise one or more fins, such asfins 1920 a and 1920 b. As such, the fins 1920 a and 1920 b may beconfigured to increase a surface area of the inner heat exchanger 1908,and thereby increase heat transfer between the thermoelectric generator1906, and a material in contact with the inner heat exchanger 1908. Thefins 1920 a and 1920 b may extend into an expandable membrane 1912coupled to the inner heat exchanger 1908, such that the fins 1920 a and1920 b may increase a surface area in contact with a phase-changematerial 1910. It will be appreciated that fins 1920 a and 1920 b may beembodied with different geometries in order to increase the efficacywith which heat is transferred between the inner heat exchanger 1908,and the phase-change material 1910. As such, those fins 1920 a and 1920b are schematically depicted in FIG. 19, and a different number of fins,or different fin geometries, may be utilized with the energy harvestingdevice 1900, without departing from these disclosures. In anotherimplementation, the outer heat exchanger 1922 may comprise one or morefins (not depicted).

FIG. 20 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 2000, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 2000 may include oneor more elements similar to one or more elements described in relationto energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300,1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, and 1900, (and/or any other energyharvesting device disclosed herein) where similar reference numeralsrepresent similar components and features. The energy harvesting device2000 may comprise an insulated container 2002 that has an outer membrane2016 encapsulating an internal cavity 2018. An outer heat exchanger 2004may extend through the outer membrane 2016, such that the outer heatexchanger 2004 has an outer surface 2020 in contact with the externalenvironment 601. In this way, the outer heat exchanger 2004 may besimilar to the outer heat exchanger 624. A thermoelectric generator 2006may be positioned within the internal cavity 2018, and thermally-coupledto the outer heat exchanger 2004 at a first side, and to a heat pipe2008 at a second side. As such, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize different implementations of the heat pipes 2008 that may beutilized to transfer heat between one or more elements of the energyharvesting device 2000, such as between the thermoelectric generator2006, and an inner heat exchanger 2010. In one example, an expandablemembrane 2014 may be coupled to the inner heat exchanger 2010, andencapsulate a mass of phase-change material 2012, similar tophase-change material 630.

FIG. 21 schematically depicts another implementation of an energyharvesting device 2100, according to one or more aspects describedherein. It is noted that energy harvesting device 2100 may include oneor more elements similar to one or more elements described in relationto energy harvesting devices 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300,1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, (and/or any other energyharvesting device disclosed herein) where similar reference numeralsrepresent similar components and features. Accordingly, the energyharvesting device 2100 represents one implementation of a devicecomprising multiple thermoelectric generators, such as thermoelectricgenerators 2106, and 2116. In particular, the energy harvesting device2100 may comprise an insulated container 2102 having an outer membrane2122 encapsulating a cavity 2120. An expandable membrane 2112 may bepositioned within the cavity 2120, and encapsulate a mass ofphase-change material 2110. Heat energy may be stored within thephase-change material 2110, and configured to be conducted in to/outfrom the phase-change material 2110 substantially along multiple axes,including axis 2130, and axis 2132. As such, heat energy may beconducted to/from the phase-change material 2110 through a first outerheat exchanger 2130, a first thermoelectric generator 2106, and a firstinner heat exchanger 2108, and simultaneously conducted through a secondouter heat exchanger 2118, a second thermoelectric generator 2116, and asecond inner heat exchanger 2114. In one example, axes 2130 in 2132 maybe parallel or substantially parallel to one another such that angle2134 is proximate equal to 180° (or in another embodiments within175-185 degrees). However, in another implementation, axes 2130 and 2132may not be aligned with one another, and such that angle 2134 may beembodied with any angle value in the range of 0 to 360°, withoutdeparting from the scope of these disclosures. Further, an energyharvesting device, similar to energy harvesting device 2100, may beembodied with additional thermoelectric generators beyond those twogenerators 2106 and 2116 described in relation to FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 schematically depicts a thermoelectric generator module 2200,according to one or more aspects described herein. In oneimplementation, the thermoelectric generator module 2200 may comprise athermoelectric generator 2202, in addition to multiple elements poweredby the thermoelectric generator 2202, which will be described in furtherdetail in the disclosure that follows. However, where a thermoelectricgenerator is described in this disclosure, such as thermoelectricgenerators 622, 1004, 1204, 1320, 1406, 1506, 1606, 1706, 1906, 2006,2106, and/or 2116 (and/or any other thermoelectric generator disclosedherein), it may refer to a thermoelectric generator element inisolation, configured to generate electrical energy in response to anapplied thermal gradient, or may refer to a thermoelectric generatormodule, such as module 2200, which includes elements in addition to thethermoelectric generator itself

In one implementation, the thermoelectric generator module 2200 maycomprise a thermoelectric generator 2202 that is configured to generatean electrical output in response to an applied thermal gradient. In oneexample, at least a portion of the thermoelectric generator module 2200may be configured to facilitate heat conduction. For example, heat maybe conducted substantially along axis 2218. Outputs 2205 and 2207 may beelectrical channels (one or more circuit portions on a circuit board, orwires, among others) across which a voltage may be generated by thethermoelectric generator 2202. Accordingly, the polarities (positive andnegative voltage) of the outputs 2205 and 2207 may switch in response tothe direction of heat conduction substantially along axis 2218 (inresponse to a change in the side of the thermoelectric generator 2202 ata higher temperature). For example, when the phase-change material 630is absorbing heat energy, an output from the thermoelectric generator622 may have a first voltage polarity. However, when the phase-changematerial 630 is dissipating heat through the thermoelectric generator622, an output from the thermoelectric generator 622 may have a secondvoltage polarity, opposite the first voltage polarity.

Accordingly, in one example, the thermoelectric generator module 2200may include a rectifier module 2204 (otherwise referred to as arectifier circuit 2204), configured to condition an output from thethermoelectric generator 2202. As such, the rectifier module 2204 mayoutput a same voltage polarity at the output 2209 regardless of thedirection of conduction of heat through the thermoelectric generator2202. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize specific circuitelements, which may include one or more diodes, and which may beutilized to provide the functionality of the rectifier module 2204,without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

In one example, the output 2209 from the rectifier module 2204 may befed into a battery module 2203. As such, the battery module 2203 maycomprise one or more chemical cells, and may be utilized to storeelectrical energy generated by the thermoelectric generator 2202. Thebattery module 2203 may be configured to store any amount of energy,without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Additionally oralternatively, the output 2209 may be fed into one or more of aninterrupt input 2208, and a power input 2210 of an activity monitoringcircuit 2206. In one example, the interrupt input 2208 may monitor avoltage level, and execute an interrupt process in response to a voltagelevel (from output 2209) rising above a threshold interrupt voltagelevel. As such, the interrupt input 2208 may be utilized to transition,or “wake” the activity monitoring circuit 2206 from one or more states,including for example, a first power configuration to a second powerconfiguration.

In one implementation, the activity monitoring circuit 2206 may beconfigured to generate sensor data and calculate one or more athleticmeasurements, which may comprise, among others, metrics related to auser's athletic performance. Accordingly, the activity monitoringcircuit 2206 may comprise functionality similar to one or more ofdevices 128 or 400, among others.

In one example, a first power configuration of the activity monitoringcircuit 2206 may correspond to a low-power configuration, and a secondpower configuration may correspond to a high power configuration. Assuch, a low-power configuration may further correspond to providing acomparatively low amount of electrical energy to one or more circuitelements of the activity monitoring circuit 2206. In turn, the highpower configuration may comprise executing one or more processes toprovide electrical energy to one or more additional circuit elements ofthe activity monitoring circuit 2206 than those provided with electricalenergy in the low-power configuration. Additionally or alternatively, ahigh power configuration may provide an increased amount of electricalenergy to one or more components of the activity monitoring circuit2206. In another example, a first power configuration may provideapproximately zero electrical energy to the activity monitoring circuit2206, and a second power configuration may provide electrical energy toone or more circuit elements of the activity monitoring circuit. Inanother implementation, there may be multiple power distributionsettings between a low power configuration and a high powerconfiguration. As such, in one example, a voltage or a current outputfrom the thermoelectric generator 2202 (or the rectifier element 2204)may be adjusted to a plurality of different levels between a first powerconfiguration and a second power configuration. In another example, afirst power configuration may correspond to one or more sensor elements(e.g. sensor 2212) being deactivated. Accordingly, in one example, whenin a deactivated configuration, the one or more sensor elements mayconsume approximately no electrical energy. In turn, a second powerconfiguration may correspond to one or more sensor elements (e.g. sensor2212) operating in an active configuration, or the activity monitoringdevice being transitioned into an active state. In another example,there may be multiple power states, which in certain embodiments arebased (at least partially) on an input signal from a monitoring circuit,such as activity monitoring circuit 2006. In one example, the powerinput 2210 may be configured to receive an electrical current from therectifier circuit 2204 and distribute the received electrical energy toone or more of the central processing unit 2211, sensor 2212, memory2214, and/or transceiver 2216, among other components.

The activity monitoring circuit 2206 of the thermoelectric generatormodule 2200 may be utilized to monitor physical activity undertaken by auser. As such, the activity monitoring circuit 2206, and as such, thethermoelectric generator module 2200, may be worn by a user, and includea sensor 2212 configured to output data in response to one or moremotions of the user. As such, the sensor 2212 may include, among others,an accelerometer, a gyroscope sensor, a location-determining sensor, aforce sensor, and/or any other sensor disclosed herein or known in theart. In one example, the activity monitoring circuit 2206 may be similarto one or more devices described in this disclosure, such as sensordevice 128, among others. In one example, the memory 2214 (which may bea local non-transitory computer-readable medium) may storecomputer-executable instructions to be executed by the centralprocessing unit 2211 (otherwise referred to as the processor 2211). Inone implementation, the transceiver 2216 may be configured tocommunicate one or more portions of raw sensor data, or processedactivity data determined from an output of the sensor 2212, to a remotedevice. In one implementation, activity data determined by the activitymonitoring circuit 2206 may be communicated to a user interface 2230. Assuch, the user interface 2230 may include one or more of a display, oneor more output indicator lights, a speaker, or a haptic feedback device,or combinations thereof.

FIG. 23 schematically depicts a top view of an example of an activitymonitoring device 2300 that may utilize one or more thermoelectricgenerators, according to one or more aspects described herein. In oneexample, the activity monitoring device 2300 may be utilized to detectone or more user motions associated with an activity being participatedin by a user. In this way, the activity monitoring device 2300 maycomprise one or more sensors, including, among others, accelerometer, agyroscope sensor, a location determining sensor, and/or any other sensordisclosed herein or known in the art. In one example, the activitymonitoring device 2300 may be similar to one or more elements previouslydescribed in this disclosure, such as, among others, sensor device 128.

In one example, the activity monitoring device 2300 may be configured tobe worn on an appendage of the user. In one implementation, the activitymonitoring device 2300 may be positioned proximate to a user's appendagewhen the device 2300 is worn. In one implementation, the activitymonitoring device 2300 may comprise a flexible support structure 2302.In another example, the activity monitoring device 2300 may comprise aplurality of flexible support structures, similar to flexible supportstructure 2302, hingedly-connected, or flexibly-connected to one anotheralong axis 2330. In another implementation, the activity monitoringdevice 2300 may comprise two or more rigid support structureshingedly-coupled to one another along axis 2330 in order to form alarger, flexible support structure, such as structure 2302. As such, theflexible support structure 2302 may comprise one or more woven or moldedportions configured to allow the structure 2302 to be wrapped around anappendage of the user. In one example, the flexible support structure2302 may comprise a first end 2332 that is spaced apart from a secondend 2334 along a longitudinal axis 2330. The flexible support structure2302 may have a first side 2322 that may be configured to be exposed toan external environment 601. Further, the flexible support structure2302 may have a second side 2320, opposite the first side 2322,configured to be positioned proximate an area of skin of a user. In oneexample, the first end 2332 of the flexible support structure 2302 maycomprise a first coupling mechanism 2304 a. The second end 2334 of theflexible support structure 2302 may comprise a second coupling mechanism2304 b. As such, the first coupling mechanism 2304 a may be configuredto interface with the second coupling mechanism 2304 b. As such, thecombined coupling mechanism, comprising elements 2304 a and 2304 b, mayinclude a clasp, a buckle, an interference fitting, a hook and loopfastener, and/or any other coupling mechanism disclosed herein or knownin the art.

In one implementation, the activity monitoring device 2300 may includemultiple thermoelectric generators, such as thermoelectric generators2306 a and 2306 b. In one example, the thermoelectric generators 2306 aand 2306 b may include one or more elements of those thermoelectricgenerators 622, 1004, 1204, 1320, 1406, 1506, 1606, 1706, 1906, 2006,2106, and/or 2116 previously described in this disclosure. In oneexample, the thermoelectric generators 2306 a and 2306 b may beconnected in series, such that a voltage output from each of thegenerators 2306 a and 2306 b may add together. In another example, thethermoelectric generators 2306 a and 2306 b may be connected inparallel, such that a current output from each of the generators 2306 aand 2306 b may add together. The thermoelectric generators 2306 a and2306 b may generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradientapplied substantially along axes 2308 a and 2308 b between the firstside 2322 and the second side 2320. In one implementation, a firstthermoelectric generator 2306 a may be coupled to a first sub-portion ofthe flexible support structure 2302, and a second thermoelectricgenerator 2306 b sub-portion of the flexible support structure 2302.

In one example, the activity monitoring device 2300 may include athermoelectric generator module 2310, which may be similar to thethermoelectric generator module 2200 from FIG. 22. As such, thethermoelectric generator module 2310 may also be connected in serieswith the thermoelectric generators 2306 a and 2306 b, and generateelectrical energy in response to a thermal conduction substantiallyalong axis 2314. In one implementation, the activity monitoring device2300, and in particular, the thermoelectric generator module 2310, mayutilize one or more capacitors, batteries (similar to battery 2203), ora mass of phase-change material (similar to phase-change material 630),to store electrical energy. In another example, the activity monitoringdevice 2300 may not include an energy storage element.

FIG. 24 schematically depicts an example graph 2400 of an output voltagefrom a thermoelectric generator in accordance with variousimplementations. In one example, graph 2400 may represent an outputvoltage from a thermoelectric generator, such as thermoelectricgenerator 622, which is generating electrical energy in response to atemperature gradient between an external environment and a user's skintemperature (user's body temperature). As such, the thermoelectricgenerator associated with graph 2400 may not utilize an energy storagemedium, such as a phase-change material 630. Accordingly, point 2406 maycorrespond to a time at which the thermoelectric generator is broughtinto contact with a user's body. As such, the thermoelectric generator,at point 2406 may transition from a thermal equilibrium (no temperaturegradient across the thermoelectric generator) to having a temperaturegradient corresponding to a temperature difference between a skintemperature of the user, and an environmental temperature (e.g. roomtemperature, mean outdoor air temperature). As such, a voltage outputfrom the thermoelectric generator may increase to point 2408. In oneexample, one or more sensor components, such as those elements describedin relation to the thermoelectric generator module 2200, may detect thevoltage increase between points 2406 and 2408 and determine that adevice containing the thermoelectric generator has been put on/is now inuse by the user. In one example, when the voltage increases above afirst threshold 2410, one or more detection circuits may determine thatthe user is now wearing the thermoelectric generator.

As a user exercises, the user's skin temperature may increase.Consequently, a thermal gradient across the thermoelectric generator mayalso increase and/or increased perspiration may be absorbed or incontact with one or more elements of the device. The period betweenpoints 2412 and 2414, delimiting an output voltage increase, maycorrespond to a period of increased activity by the user (e.g. the usermay be exercising at a moderate exertion level). Accordingly, one ormore detection circuits, such as one or more elements of thethermoelectric generator module 2200, may be utilized to detect a secondthreshold 2420 corresponding to this period of increased activity and/ora slope of the output voltage corresponding to the change in voltage2418 divided by the change in time 2416. Similarly, a third thresholdoutput voltage 2422 may be detected, such as by the thermoelectricgenerator module 2200, and may be determined as corresponding to aperiod of increased activity (e.g. the user may be exercising as asevere exertion level, among others). Thus, embodiments may utilizedetected outputs from the device, such as voltage, to detect activitylevels. In this regard, certain embodiments may be utilized to classifythe user's activity. For example, it has been discovered by theinventors that voltage output levels may be used to detect when the useris inactive, sitting, standing, walking, or running. As such, in oneexample, an output voltage increasing above a threshold voltage mayidentify a user as transitioning from walking to running, among others.Other categorizations are within the scope of this disclosure. In thisregard, certain embodiments, may utilize voltage readings in combinationwith other inputs (such as from one or more sensors) to determineactivity levels, energy expenditure, activity classification, amongother attributes. Further embodiments may utilize battery levels,voltage output rate or thresholds, and/or factors to increase samplingrate of the activity measurement processes. For example, a voltage levelabove a first threshold may sample activity measurements at a firstsampling rate and a voltage level above a second threshold may result ina second sampling rate that is higher than the first sampling rate. Inother embodiments, different sensors may be activated (or activated at aquicker interval) based upon voltage levels and/or other inputs.

In one implementation, a voltage output from a thermoelectric generator,such as thermoelectric generator 2202, may be monitored by a processor,such as processor 2211. Accordingly, a voltage output from thethermoelectric generator 2202 may be proportional to heat flux acrossthe thermoelectric generator 2202 (i.e. along axis 2218). As such, thethermoelectric generator 2202 may be utilized as a heat flux sensor, andsuch that a voltage detected by the processor 2211 may be mapped to aheat flux across the thermoelectric generator 2202. In oneimplementation, an output from a thermoelectric generator, such asthermoelectric generator 2202, may be utilized to estimate a remainingamount of heat energy stored within a phase-change material, such aswithin the phase-change material 630 stored within the expandablemembrane 628.

Certain aspects relate to energy harvesting devices that may include orbe utilized in conjunction with a module. FIG. 25 shows an examplemodule 2530 that may be used in association with apparel or otherdevices, such as being insertable within an armband, clothing, wearabledevice, handheld device, textile, and/or an apparatus that may be usedduring physical activity. Module 2530 may include one or moremechanical, electric, and/or electro-mechanical components, such ascomputer components, that are described elsewhere herein, as well as acasing 2531 forming a structural configuration for the module 2530.Module 2530 may comprise at least one of a processor, a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, sensor and/or a transceiver. One or morecomponents may be similar to and/or identical to any component shown anddescribed above in FIGS. 1-5. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat module 2530 and the casing 2531 may have multiple differentstructural configurations and the illustrations are merely exemplary.

In the embodiment of FIG. 25, the module 2530 has at least one sensor2532, which may be in the form of, for example, a heart rate sensor.Module 2530 may be configured to contact the skin of the user duringwear while the module 2530 is secured within a band, device orapparatus, etc. For example, the heart rate sensor 2532 in thisillustrated embodiment may be an optical sensor that works best incontact or close proximity with the skin. As shown in FIG. 25, thecasing 2531 of module 2530 has a projection 2539 on the underside 2536,and the sensor 2532 is mounted on the end of the projection 2539. Theprojection 2539 extends the sensor 2532 farther away from thesurrounding surfaces of the casing 2531, permitting greater capabilityfor forming continuous contact with the user's body. Band 2520 may havean aperture that allows a front surface of the protrusion to contact theuser's skin, however, the remainder of underside 2538 is held within theband 2520 or at least is separated from the user's skin by at least onelayer of a material. In one embodiment, the layer of material may beconfigured to wick away moisture (e.g., such as sweat) away from thesensing surface on the user's skin.

In one embodiment, a layer of material may be configured to collect orwick moisture of fluid towards a heat transfer plate of other componentof the device.

In other embodiments, it may be configured to prevent moisture, light,and/or physical materials from contacting the sensing surface orlocation during the physical activity. In one embodiment, it mayselectively block light of certain wavelengths. In certain embodiments,at least 95% of ambient light is blocked within the immediate vicinityof the sensing surface. In another embodiment, at least 99% of theambient light is blocked. This may be advantageous for optical sensors,such as optical heart rate sensors. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that other sensors, including those sensors described abovein relation to FIGS. 1-5, may be used—either alone in combination witheach other or other sensors—without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure.

In one general embodiment, the module 2530 may include one or more userinput interfaces, such as for example, buttons 2533 to provideuser-actuated input. An example user input interface may consist ofsingle mechanical button, e.g., button 2533, which is shown on the topside 2537 opposite the underside 2536. Yet in other embodiments, displayfeature 2534 may be configured as a user-input interface. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that one or more user-actuated inputs mayalso be received through one or more transceivers of the module 2530.For example, a system may be configured such that a user may be able toenter a user input onto an electronic mobile device which may mimicusing buttons 2533 or, alternatively, perform different functions thanavailable in a specific instance of actuating buttons 2533. Module 2533may further comprise one or more display features 2534.

In one embodiment, the pocket 2540 of the band or apparatus may beconfigured to receive module 2530 having a display feature 2534 onsurface that provides at least one visual indicia to a user. Displayfeatures 2534 may be a simple light source, such as a light emittingdiode. In a specific embodiment, the color, intensity, or pattern ofillumination of at least one light source in display features may beused to provide a visual indication to the user. Those skilled in theart will further appreciate that more complex display devices, such asLED, OLED, LCD, etc. may be utilized. Other output mechanisms, such asaudible and tactile are within the scope of this disclosure.

Module 2530 may further include one or more connectors 2535 for chargingand/or connection to an external device. In one embodiment, connectors2535 may include a serial bus connection, such as that may comply withone or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards. In one embodiment,connectors 2535 may be configured to provide at least of the sameelectronic information to an external device that may be transmitted viaone or more transceivers of the module 2530.

When the module 2530 in the embodiment of FIG. 25 is received within apocket or pouch, connector 2535 is received within the shell 2548, theunderside 2536 of the casing 2531 is positioned in contact with theinner wall 2544 of the pocket 2540, and the top side 2537 of the casing2531 is positioned in contact with the outer wall 2543 of the pocket2540. In this arrangement, the projection 2539 extends through thesensor opening 2545 to place the sensor 2532 in closer proximity withthe user's body, the button 2533 is positioned adjacent the buttonportion 2547 on the outer wall 2543, and the light 2534 is positioned inalignment with the window 2546 to permit viewing of the light 2534through the outer wall 2543. The projection 2539 extending through thesensor opening 2545 and also in certain embodiments may assist inholding the module 2530 in place. In this configuration the end of themodule 2530 opposite the connector 2535 protrudes slightly from theaccess opening 2542, in order to facilitate gripping for removal of themodule 2530.

The casing 2531 may have a structural configuration to increase comfortof wearing the module 2530 in close proximity to the user's skin. Forexample, the casing 2531 has a flat configuration to create a thinprofile, making the module 2530 less noticeable when being worn on theuser's body. As another example, the casing 2531 may have curvedcontours on the underside 2536 and the top side 2537, as well as curvedor beveled edges, in order to enhance comfort.

In certain embodiments, computer-executable instructions may be used tocalibrate a device or system, such as to account for the location,orientation, or configuration of a sensor or group of sensors. As oneexample, module 2530 may include a heart rate sensor. The heart ratesensor may be configured such that when correctly orientated on or inthe band, the heart rate sensor is located or oriented a certain waywith respect to the user. For example, if the heart rate sensor is anoptical heart rate sensor, it may be within a distance range to the skin(with respect to multiple axes and location). Further, one or moresensors may be configured such that when correctly oriented within theband (e.g., placed within the pocket, a contact of a sensor isconfigured to be in communication with the user (e.g., their skin oralternatively their clothing). Too much variance with respect to theorientation or location of the sensor may result in inaccurate and/orimprecise data. In certain embodiments, one or more sensor measurements,either raw or calculated, may be utilized to determine a proper orpreferred orientation(s) or location(s) of the sensor(s).

The measurements may be based on one or more remote or local sensors onthe device to be oriented, such as module 2530. For example, in certainembodiments, a user's Body Mass Index (BMI) or another parameter may becalculated. The calculation may be based, at least in part, on one ormore sensors located on the device to be oriented. Based upon the sensormeasurement(s), a UI, which may be on the device itself, a remotedevice, and/or a device in electronic communication with the device tobe oriented (or re-oriented) may prompt and/or guide a user to re-orientthe device. In other embodiments, it may provide a user input device toprovide user inputs for orientation. For example, unlike prior artdevices which may merely detect a weak or imprecise value and recommendor request the orientation of the sensor or device, embodimentsdisclosed herein may use data to intelligently determine the problemand/or solution. In one embodiment, a user's BMI or other data may beused to determine that the user should wear the device at anotherlocation and/or alter its orientation. For example, if a user's BMI iswithin the normal range (e.g., commonly accepted as 20-25), however,heart rate data is utilized in the calculation of a parameter that isbelow a threshold, then in certain embodiments, additional analysis maybe performed to consider whether the heart rate sensor should beadjusted. As explained in more detail below, further embodiments relateto augmenting one or more calculations of parameters used in thecalculations.

Systems and methods may be implemented to reduce inaccuracies and/orimprecise data collection. In one embodiment, the band may be configuredto be worn within a range of locations, such as on a user's appendage orextremity. With respect to a “lower arm” usage example, the lower armmay be considered the distance between an elbow joint and the carpus ofan arm or appendage, and may further be logically divided into aproximate region and a distal region. For example, the proximate regionof the lower arm would include a portion (e.g., up to half) of the lowerarm closest to the user's shoulder; and likewise, a distal region wouldinclude a portion (e.g., up to the remaining half) of the lower armconnecting to the carpus. In this regard, a band may be configured to beworn in the proximate region of the lower arm. In one embodiment, theentire band is configured to be retained within a proximate half of thelower arm. In one embodiment, the band is configured to be retained at aspecific location during athletic activities, such as with respect tothe distance of the lower (or upper arm), a sensor measurement locationis configured to move less than 1% or 0.5% of the distance along thelower arm. In yet other embodiments, the band may be configured to movewithin a specific distance with respect to the distance along the lowerarm, however, at least one sensor (such as a sensor of the module 2530)may be configured to move a smaller distance. For example, in oneembodiment, a band may be configured to permit movement of about 1 mmalong the length of the lower arm, however, the module, or a sensingsurface of the module, may be configured to only permit 0.55 mm movementalong the same axis. As discussed above, one or more measurements maydictate altering this range, the distance from the sensor to the skin,as well as other locational dimensions and/or orientations. In oneembodiment, a band may be configured to retain a sensing surface (orsensing location) of the module at least a predefined distance from thecarpus. This may be due to the mechanical properties of a band, themodule 2530, and/or as a result of a sensor providing an indication ofan incorrect and/or correct usage of a band and/or module 2530. In yetanother embodiment, the sensing surface is at least located 20% of thedistance away from the carpus. In another embodiment, the band may beconfigured to retain a sensing surface of the band at least a predefineddistance of the distance from the elbow joint (or equivalent).

In one embodiment, one or more sensors of the module (alone and/or withother external sensors) may be utilized to detect the location of themodule 930, a sensing surface of the module, a sensing location, and/ora band. This may be done directly or indirectly. In certain embodiments,one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums may comprisecomputer-executable instructions, then when executed by a processorcause the processor to at least conduct a location calibration routine.The computer-readable medium(s) may be located entirely on the module,an external electronic device, such as a mobile or cellular device,and/or combinations thereof. One or more calibration routines may beautomatically initiated, such as by being triggered by sensing one ormore criteria (e.g. with a sensor of the module) or through a manualinitiation, such as by a user initiating the routine.

Movements during the athletic activity will naturally cause physicalmovements of anatomical structures, including joints and flexingmuscles. As one example, flexing muscles may cause relative and absolutechanges in locations and orientation of sensor sensing surfaces and/orsensing locations. As discussed herein, having the band, sensingsurfaces, and/or sensing locations located in positions to reduce oreliminate flexure-causing inaccuracies will improve the utility of suchsensing systems when compared with prior-art systems. For example, thedevice (or location(s)) may be positioned to reduce or eliminate forearmtension in one embodiment. In another embodiment, systems and methodsmay be implemented to identify the extent of actual and/or anticipatedflexure or anatomical movement. In further embodiments, one or morecalibration or correction factors may be applied to sensor readingsbased upon flexure or other anatomical movements. In one embodiment,only flexure of one muscle or group of muscles may be considered. Thismay be the case even when other muscles' flexure is present.

CONCLUSION

Aspects of the embodiments have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications andvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occurto persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may beperformed in other than the recited order, and that one or more stepsillustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of theembodiments.

For the avoidance of doubt, the present application extends to thesubject-matter described in the following numbered Clauses:

Clause 1. An energy harvesting device comprising: an insulatedcontainer, comprising: a first membrane defining at least a portion ofan inner cavity; a thermoelectric generator operably coupled to thefirst membrane; and an expandable membrane disposed within the firstcavity and operably coupled to the thermoelectric generator, theexpandable membrane encapsulating a mass of phase-change materialconfigured to store heat energy.Clause 2. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 1, wherein thethermoelectric generator is coupled to the first membrane via a firstheat exchanger.Clause 3. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 1 or 2,wherein the thermoelectric generator is coupled to the expandablemembrane via a second heat exchanger.Clause 4. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 3, wherein thesecond heat exchanger comprises at least one fin in contact with thephase-change material.Clause 5. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 3 or 4,wherein the thermoelectric generator is coupled to the second heatexchanger via a heat pipe.Clause 6. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 2 to5, wherein the or each heat exchanger comprises an aluminum alloy.Clause 7. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein an insulating material is provided within the innercavity so as to insulate the phase-change material.Clause 8. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 7, wherein theinsulating material comprises a mass of gas.Clause 9. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 7 or 8,wherein the insulating material comprises a foam.Clause 10. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 1 to6, wherein the inner cavity comprises a vacuum.Clause 11. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the first membrane is deformable.Clause 12. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, further comprising a second membrane, wherein an outer cavityis formed between the first and second membranes.Clause 13. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 12, whereinan insulating material is provided within the outer cavity.Clause 14. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 13, whereinthe insulating material comprises a mass of gas.Clause 15. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 13 or 14,wherein the insulating material comprises a foam.Clause 16. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 15, whereinthe second membrane is permeable to allow water to soak into the foam.Clause 17. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 16, whereinthe foam is configured to retain sufficient water to protect thethermoelectric generator and the expandable membrane from being exposedto a temperature of air in the external environment above a failuretemperature.Clause 18. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 12, whereinthe outer cavity comprises a vacuum.Clause 19. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 11 to16, wherein the second membrane forms an outer membrane having ansurface in contact with the external environment, wherein the secondmembrane is provided with an aperture extending from the outer surfaceof the outer membrane to the inner surface of the outer membrane, theaperture configured to permit an ingress of air and/or water from theexternal environment into the outer cavity.Clause 20. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 19, whereinthe aperture is configured to allow water to enter into the outer cavityduring a wash cycle as the item of clothing is laundered, and whereinthe phase-change material is configured to store a portion of heatenergy captured during a dryer cycle as the item of clothing islaundered.Clause 21. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 19 or 20,wherein the aperture is configured to release water vapor from the outercavity.Clause 22. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 19 to21, wherein the aperture is substantially aligned with a primary axis ofconduction of the insulated container.Clause 23. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 12 to22, wherein the second membrane is deformable.Clause 24. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 23, whereinthe insulated container is configured to be deformed between an expandedconfiguration and a compressed configuration, wherein, when in theexpanded configuration, the thermoelectric generator is spaced from oneof the first and second membranes, and, when in the compressedconfiguration, the thermoelectric generator is thermally coupled to saidone of the first and second membranes to allow bi-directional conductionof heat between the phase-change material and the external environment.Clause 25. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 24, wherein,when in the expanded configuration, the thermoelectric generator isspaced from a heat exchanger disposed between the thermoelectricgenerator and said one of the first and second membranes.Clause 26. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 24 or 25,wherein the device has a comparatively high thermal resistance to heatconduction through the thermoelectric generator when in the expandedconfiguration and a comparatively low thermal resistance to heatconduction through the thermoelectric generator when in the compressedconfiguration.Clause 27. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 24 to26, wherein the insulated container is configured to be deformed fromthe expanded configuration to the compressed configuration when an itemof clothing comprising the device is positioned on a user.Clause 28. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, further comprising an activity monitoring circuit connected tothe thermoelectric generator.Clause 29. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 28, whereinthe activity monitoring circuit is configured to monitor a voltageoutput from the thermoelectric generator, and wherein the output voltageis proportional to an activity level of the user such that an activityis identifiable by the activity monitoring circuit based on outputvoltage.Clause 30. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 29, whereinthe output voltage is proportional to a temperature gradient between auser's skin and an external environment.Clause 31. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 30, whereinthe output voltage being above a threshold voltage indicates that theuser is wearing the energy harvesting device.Clause 32. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 30 or 31,wherein the output voltage rising above a threshold voltage identifiesthe user as transitioning from walking to running.Clause 33. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 28 to32, wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises a sensor.Clause 34. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 33, whereinthe sensor comprises an accelerometer.Clause 35. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 33 or 34,wherein the sensor comprises a location-determining sensor.Clause 36. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 28 to35 when appended to any of Paras 24 to 27, wherein when transitionedfrom the expanded configuration to the compressed configuration, avoltage output generated by the thermoelectric generator transitionsfrom a first voltage to a second voltage.Clause 37. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 36, whereinthe change in voltage is indicative of an external force being appliedto the insulated container of the energy harvesting device.Clause 38. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 36 or 37,wherein the transition in voltage output transitions the activitymonitoring circuit from a first power configuration to a second powerconfiguration.Clause 39. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 38, whereinthe first power configuration is a low power configuration that providesa first amount of electrical energy to the activity monitoring circuit,and the second power configuration is a high power configuration thatprovides a second amount of electrical energy, higher than the firstamount of electrical energy, to the activity monitoring circuit.Clause 40. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 39, whereinthe first power configuration corresponds to the activity monitoringcircuit being deactivated and the second power configuration correspondsto the activity monitoring circuit being activated.Clause 41. An energy harvesting device according to any of Clauses 28 to40, wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises a radiotransmitter, and at least a portion of the insulated container isradio-wave transparent.Clause 42. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the first membrane is impermeable.Clause 43. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the insulated container is impermeable to water at 1atm.Clause 44. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the insulated container is configured to be positionedon or within an item of athletic apparel.Clause 45. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the thermoelectric generator further comprises arectifier circuit configured to output a voltage with a same (constant)polarity as heat energy is transferred into and out from the containerstructure.Clause 46. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the phase-change material is configured to reach anapproximate thermal equilibrium with the external environment atapproximately 20 degrees Celsius within at least 4 hours.Clause 47. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the phase-change material comprises a salt-hydratematerial.Clause 48. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, further comprising a processor powered by the thermoelectricgenerator, wherein the processor is configured to monitor a voltageoutput from the thermoelectric generator, and wherein the voltage outputis proportional to a thermal gradient across the thermoelectricgenerator such that the thermoelectric generator functions as a heatflux sensor.Clause 49. An energy harvesting device according to Clause 48, whereinthe voltage output is indicative of an amount of remaining heat energystored with a phase-change material.Clause 50. An energy harvesting device according to any of the precedingClauses, wherein the thermoelectric generator is configured to generateelectrical energy based on a thermal gradient across the thermoelectricgenerator, and without an auxiliary energy storage medium.Clause 51. A method of operating an energy harvesting device accordingto any of the preceding Clauses, exposing the insulated container to anexternal environment having an elevated temperature which is higher thanthe temperature of the phase-change material such that the phase-changematerial stores a portion of heat energy captured.Clause 52. A method according to Clause 51, wherein the insulatedcontainer is exposed to the elevated temperature during a dryer cycle asan item of clothing comprising the insulated container is laundered.Clause 53. A method according to Clause 51 or 52, wherein the elevatedtemperature is in a range of approximately 45-85 degrees Celsius.Clause 54. A method according to any of Clauses 51 to 53, wherein theinsulated container absorbs water during a wash cycle which evaporatesduring the dryer cycle, such that the thermoelectric generator and theexpandable membrane are exposed to a temperature range below a failuretemperature.Clause 55. An activity monitoring device, comprising: a supportstructure comprising a first end spaced apart from a second end along afirst axis, the support structure further comprising a first sideconfigured to be exposed to an external environment, and a second side,opposite the first side along a second axis, the second side configuredto be positioned proximate to an area of skin of the user; a processor;an activity monitoring circuit coupled to the support structure andconfigured to provide sensor data to the processor from which theprocessor can calculate athletic measurements based upon a user'sathletic movements; and a thermoelectric generator module configured togenerate and transfer electrical energy to the processor and theactivity monitoring circuit, wherein the thermoelectric generator moduleis configured to generate electrical energy in response to a thermalgradient between the first side and the second side.Clause 56. An activity monitoring device according to Clause 55, whereinthe device comprises at least two thermoelectric generator modules.Clause 57. An activity monitoring device according to Clause 55, whereinthe thermoelectric generator modules are connected in series.Clause 58. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 57, wherein the support structure is a first support structure, thedevice further comprising a second support structure flexibly coupled tothe first support structure.Clause 59. An activity monitoring device according to Clause 58, whereinthe first support structure comprises a first thermoelectric generatormodule and the second support structure comprises a secondthermoelectric generator module.Clause 60. An activity monitoring device according to Clause 59, whereineach support structure comprises at least two thermoelectric generatormodules.Clause 61. An activity monitoring device according to Clause 60, whereinthe thermoelectric generator modules of each support structure areconnected in series.Clause 62. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 59to 61, wherein the first support structure is connected to the secondsupport structure along the first axis.Clause 63. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 59to 62, wherein the first support structure and the second supportstructure are each rigid structures.Clause 64. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 63, wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an opticalsensor configured to be fully powered by the thermoelectricgenerator(s), wherein the optical sensor is configured to be positionedproximate to a user's appendage when the device is worn.Clause 65. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 63, wherein the activity monitoring circuit is a first activitymonitoring circuit and the device further comprises a second activitymonitoring circuit, wherein the second activity monitoring circuitcomprises an optical sensor configured to be fully powered by thethermoelectric generator(s), wherein the optical sensor is configured tobe positioned proximate to a user's appendage when the device is worn.Clause 66. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 64, wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises anaccelerometer.Clause 67. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 65, wherein the processor is configured to determine that thethermoelectric generator module(s) produced a threshold quantity ofenergy; and based upon the threshold quantity of energy being produced,altering capture of athletic measurements from the device.Clause 68. An activity monitoring device according to Clause 66, whereinthe altering of the capture comprises reducing a sampling rate from atleast one sensor.Clause 69. An activity monitoring device according to Clause 66 or 67,wherein the altering of the capture comprises ceasing capturing datafrom at least one sensor.Clause 70. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 68, wherein the support structure is flexible and a first couplingmechanism is provided at the first end configured to beremovably-coupled to a second coupling mechanism at the second end.Clause 71. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 69, wherein the processor is configured to: determine that the sensordata is indicative of a threshold level of athletic movement, and inresponse, causing the device to enter into a first active state; basedupon the sensor data obtained from the device while in the first activestate, calculate athletic measurements based upon a user's athleticmovements; and switch the device to a second active state, and basedupon the sensor data from the device while in the second active state,calculating athletic measurements based upon the user's athleticmovements.Clause 72. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 70, wherein the support structure is flexible and comprises aplurality of individual rigid interconnected components, wherein atleast a first and a second individual interconnected components of theplurality of components each comprise a first end spaced apart from asecond end along a first axis.Clause 73. An activity monitoring device according to any of Clauses 55to 71, further comprising a transceiver configured to automaticallytransmit the calculated athletic measurements to a mobile device.

We claim:
 1. An energy harvesting device configured to be integratedinto an item of clothing, comprising: an insulated container,comprising: an outer membrane having a first side in contact with anexternal environment and a second side that defines at least a portionof an internal cavity; an outer heat exchanger extending though theouter membrane, the outer heat exchanger comprising at least one surfacein contact with the external environment; a thermoelectric generatormodule positioned within the internal cavity, the thermoelectricgenerator sandwiched between the outer heat exchanger and an inner heatexchanger; and an expandable membrane encapsulating a mass ofphase-change material, at least a portion of the expandable membranecoupled to the inner heat exchanger, wherein the outer heat exchanger,the thermoelectric generator, and the inner heat exchanger areconfigured to allow bi-directional conduction between the phase-changematerial and the external environment, and wherein the phase-changematerial is configured to store a portion of heat energy absorbed duringa dryer cycle as the item of clothing is laundered.
 2. The energyharvesting device of claim 1, further comprising an activity monitoringcircuit coupled within the internal cavity, and configured to beprovided with electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator. 3.The energy harvesting device of claim 2, wherein the activity monitoringcircuit comprises a radio transmitter, and at least a portion of theinsulated container is radio-wave transparent.
 4. The energy harvestingdevice of claim 1, wherein the insulated container comprises a rigidouter geometry.
 5. The energy harvesting device of claim 1, wherein theinsulated container comprises a closed-cell foam.
 6. The energyharvesting device of claim 1, wherein the insulated container isimpermeable to water at 1 atm.
 7. The energy harvesting device of claim1, wherein the expandable membrane is deformable such that thephase-change material can thermally-expand within the membrane withoutrendering the membrane inoperable.
 8. An energy harvesting device,comprising: a rigid container structure having an outer membrane with anouter side in contact with an external environment and an inner sidethat defines at least a portion of an internal cavity; a thermoelectricgenerator module thermally-coupled to an outer heat exchanger at a firstside and to an inner heat exchanger at a second side, the outer heatexchanger having at least one surface exposed to the externalenvironment; and a membrane encapsulating a mass of phase-changematerial, the membrane coupled to the inner heat exchanger such that atleast a one surface of the inner heat exchanger is configured to beexposed to the phase-change material during use of the device, whereinthe outer heat exchanger, the thermoelectric generator, and the innerheat exchanger are configured to allow bi-directional conduction of heatbetween the phase-change material and the external environment, andwherein the phase-change material is configured to store a portion ofheat energy absorbed from air in the external environment having a meantemperature in a range of approximately 45-85 degrees Celsius.
 9. Theenergy harvesting device of claim 8, wherein the inner and outer heatexchangers comprise an aluminum alloy.
 10. The energy harvesting deviceof claim 8, wherein the phase-change material comprises a salt-hydratematerial.
 11. The energy harvesting device of claim 8, wherein the rigidcontainer structure is configured to be positioned within an item ofathletic apparel.
 12. The energy harvesting device of claim 8, whereinthe inner heat exchanger comprises at least one fin in contact with thephase-change material.
 13. The energy harvesting device of claim 8,wherein the thermoelectric generator further comprises a rectifiercircuit configured to output a voltage with a same polarity as heatenergy is transferred into and out from the container structure.
 14. Theenergy harvesting device of claim 8, wherein the rigid containerstructure is impermeable to water at 1 atm.
 15. The energy harvestingdevice of claim 8, wherein the phase-change material is configured toreach an approximate thermal equilibrium with the external environmentat approximately 20 degrees Celsius within at least 4 hours.
 16. Anenergy harvesting device, comprising: a container structure, furthercomprising: an internal cavity; an outer membrane; and a thermoelectricgenerator module positioned within the internal cavity, thethermoelectric generator thermally-coupled to an expandable membranethat encapsulates a mass of phase-change material, wherein thethermoelectric generator allows bi-directional conduction of heat to andfrom the phase-change material, and wherein the phase-change material isconfigured to store a portion of heat energy captured while the energyharvesting device is exposed to an environment at a first temperaturehigher than a second temperature of the mass of phase-change material.17. The energy harvesting device of claim 16, wherein at least a portionof an outer surface of the container structure comprises athermally-conductive material configured to allow heat to be conductedfrom and to the thermoelectric generator.
 18. The energy harvestingdevice of claim 16, wherein the high temperature environment has a meantemperature of approximately 45-85 degrees Celsius.
 19. The energyharvesting device of claim 16, further comprising an activity monitoringcircuit coupled within the cavity, and provided with electrical energyby the thermoelectric generator.
 20. The energy harvesting device ofclaim 16, wherein the phase-change material comprises a salt-hydratematerial.